Seniors Safety at Home - A Priority for Home Care Across the Country

MISSISSAUGA, ON, Oct. 30, 2014 /CNW/ - Falls in the home present a significant safety concern for seniors in Canada.  According to the report "Preventing Falls: From Evidence to Improvement in Canadian Health Care", released by Accreditation Canada, Canadian Institute of Health Information and the Canadian Patient Safety Institute (CPSI), falls experienced by seniors have a negative impact on their physical and psychological wellbeing, as well as their ability to safely stay in their homes with dignity, independence and quality of life. 

The report states that more than one third of seniors receiving home care are at risk for falls.  "With almost 800,000 seniors receiving publicly funded home care services in 2011, over 250,000 seniors are at risk of falls," said Jill Robbins, Canadian Home Care Association President "and this situation negatively impacts the individual and the health care system".  Fifty percent of seniors admitted to hospital due to a fall, fell at home, according to data presented in the recent report.  In addition to presenting statistics, the report also highlights a number of safety initiatives currently underway across the country, including a three year study examining the impact, cost effectiveness and sustainability of a falls prevention program for older adults receiving publicly funded home care.

The urgent issue of identifying, mitigating and managing risk in the home was reinforced by home care experts at a roundtable hosted by the Canadian Home Care Association (CHCA) in September 2013.  "Preventing falls in the home setting is a priority for many home care programs across Canada," stated Nadine Henningsen, CHCA Executive Director, "the CHCA is working in partnership with CPSI and other stakeholders to address this important issue." Actions agreed to by the home care experts from across Canada include:

• Engaging clients, their family caregivers and professional care providers in the delivery of safe care in unpredictable and inconsistent environments
• Increasing awareness and understanding  of  strategies and tools to identify and manage safety at home by clients, their family caregivers, frontline staff and organizational leaders
• Supporting integrated models of care that reinforce safe care for the client and family

The outcome of this work will reduce the burden of falls on the health care system and ensure that seniors can remain safely in their homes with dignity, independence and quality of life. 

About the Canadian Home Care Association
The Canadian Home Care Association is a national not-for-profit membership association that advances excellence in home care and continuing care through leadership, awareness, advocacy and knowledge.   

SOURCE: Canadian Home Care Association

Nadine Henningsen, Executive Director, Ph.: 289?290?4376, Email: [email protected], www.cdnhomecare.ca