The Province will spend more than $2 billion on home care in 2017-18, an increase of $200 million.
The funding is good news for an Okotoks woman, whose family relies on the service.
Ray and Faye Gosselin have daily home care assistance for their 33-year-old nephew Nicky, who was severely brain-damaged in a car crash that killed his parents and sister in 1986. The Gosselins took in Nicky after he was orphaned and have been thrilled to watch him far exceed his life expectancy.
Now in their 70s, the Gosselins need help taking care of Nicky, who is five-feet, one-inches tall and around 100 pounds.
For years, a nurse has been coming in the evening for four hours to help with his nighttime routine.
“A caregiver gives him his medicine, a bath and puts him to bed,” Faye said.
The only day Ray and Faye have to do it themselves is on Sunday, she said.
When her husband Ray had a hernia operation a few months ago, they also requested help in the morning to get Nicky ready before he goes to a day program for adults with disabilities.
Now a nurse also comes for three hours in the morning.
“Any help we can get, we are really grateful for,” she said, adding she is pleased funding for home care is getting a boost.
In Alberta the number of home-care patients have increased 20 per cent from 97,000 in 2010-11 to 116,000 in 2015-16. The number of home care clients in Okotoks has stayed relatively the same over the last two years.
Health Minister Sarah Hoffman announced March 10 the Province will increase home care spending by $200 million over the next two years.
“This is a practical investment that is going to make a difference in the lives of Albertans of all ages by delivering home care right to their door and protecting and improving the community health services they need to stay healthy and connected to their friends and families,” said Hoffman in a press release.
The aim of home care is to help people in their own homes, improving their health and preventing hospitalization or admittance to a short or long-term care facility.
The announcement comes on the heels of a federal agreement to provide Alberta with $703 million over 10 years for home care.
It is unclear yet how the funding will affect local delivery of home care services.
The home-care team in Okotoks assists 320 clients on average. People with a medical need are assessed for the service.
“There is no wait list for home care,” said Barb Lemarquand-Unich, executive director for seniors, palliative and continuing care in the Calgary zone. “People receive an initial assessment and then services are set up from there – timing is dependent on need.
“As with all home-care services across the province the person must have a medical or health need to receive service.”
Home care in the Foothills includes, in part, services like wound care, medicine management, assistance with daily care, end of life care and exercise and assessment programs.
