BC

Regional health authorities will receive up to $50 million annually over the next three years for targeted primary and community care programs to better support patients and their families. 

The community-based programs will be tailored to local needs, with a focus on enhancing supports available for patients with complex chronic conditions, those with mental-health and substance-use challenges, and seniors with complex-care needs. 

"Providing care to individuals in their home rather than hospital is one example of a suite of integrated primary and community care programs underway in health authorities to better support patients, their families and caregivers," said Health Minister Margaret MacDiarmid.

"Keeping people out of acute and residential care also benefits the health system as these are often our most costly forms of care." 

One example is the Home is Best program, which aims to help seniors, who otherwise would need residential care, live safely at home and avoid future hospital emergency admissions. The program specifically targets seniors waiting for a residential care bed, or residential care eligibility assessment. 

The Home is Best program will be rolled out in all five health authorities. Under the program additional in-home care supports are tailored to an individual's needs. Home support care can include bathing and washing, dressing, grooming, taking medication and other personal care needs.

The program was piloted in Vancouver Coastal Health's North Shore and in Fraser Health, and has shown positive results.

The program also provides benefits to family caregivers by ensuring their loved ones can remain safely at home with the required supports. 

"The Home is Best philosophy is what's right for patients and clients and in the process of doing the right thing for them, we also do the right thing for the health-care system," said Lynda Foley, executive director, Fraser Health's clinical programs and operations, home health and end of life.

"Through Home First we've seen exciting results with fewer admissions to acute and residential care."