As home care needs grow, what are Ontario’s major parties offering?
When Anna Foat’s late mother-in-law needed a higher level of personal care at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the family’s original plan was to take care of her in their home.
At the time Myrna Foat was in her early 80s and had been diagnosed with dementia. She needed help with all her basic daily needs, which turned out to be more than Foat and her husband could provide. Both had full-time jobs and two children, ages six and eight at the time.
While there was a desire keep Myrna with them, the family soon realized it was beyond their ability, largely because they didn’t have access to enough home care help.
“The burden on our family for caring for my mother-in-law 24/7 was literally unravelling our family,” said Anna. “You’re being asked to navigate a very complex system at a time of crisis.”
Anna said she was only able to get two weekly visits of 35 minutes each from a personal support worker. Those visits were only enough time for the worker to complete one task before they had to leave for their next assignment.
“If we had been given more care, more help, she maybe could have stayed with us longer,” she said.
The family ended up getting Myrna a spot in a long-term care home at Country Terrace in Komoka in the fall of 2020 as an emergency case, but only after a long and complicated process. The family spoke to CBC News in 2021 about problems with the care Foat received at Country Terrace as the home dealt with a COVID-19 outbreak. Myrna Foat died this past December.
Ontario needs to step up home-care supports, report shows
Anna said the experience of navigating her mother-in-law’s care has left her feeling that Ontario’s home care program needs more support. Her mother-in-law wanted to stay with the family.
A report released last year said Ontario needs to step-up its home care supports with the number of people 75 or older in the province forecast to rise by 350,000 in next 5 years.
Anna’s story is one Sue VanderBent has heard often as the CEO of Home Care Ontario, an umbrella group of different agencies that provide home care.
“We know there are families that want to care for their loved ones at home, but they need that additional support,” she said.
In last year’s budget, the PC government pledged to spend $2 billion more over the next three years on home care.
VanderBent said that increase is well appreciated, but Home Care Ontario is calling for even more — an additional spending boost of $2.1 billion over the next three years, which she said could create 16.5 million more hours of home care across the province.
“We now have the capacity in place to build on that work and take our home care system in Ontario to the next level,” she said.
Jane Meadus, a lawyer with the Advocacy Centre for the Elderly, agrees a “more robust” home care system is needed to give seniors access to consistent care.
“Right now the focus is on keeping people out of hospital, rather than preventing them from going in,” she said.
What Ontario’s major parties are proposing
The Greens. The Ontario Green Party, in their platform, said they’ll support home care by paying the same wage to care providers “no matter the community or health-care setting.” The Greens say they would also cover travel for health-care workers to treat people at home.
The Liberals. Bonnie Crombie’s party is promising to restore confidence in long-term care by boosting annual home care spending by 25 per cent. The Liberals are also promising a seniors home care tax credit of up to 25 per cent of medical expenses each year, up to a cap of $10,000. The Liberals also said they’ll repeal Bill 7, which lets hospitals discharge patients into long-term care beds they didn’t choose.
The NDP. In their platform, the Ontario NDP is promising to “stop the privatization of home care and long-term care” in part by ensuring that “people can live at home longer as they age, with reliable and expanded services to support their need.” The NDP also says they’ll reverse Bill 7. The NDP’s plan doesn’t commit a dollar figure to their plan.
The PCs. The party’s plan released yesterday doesn’t mention home care specifically, although in last year’s budget they did announce $2 billion in new funding for home care. The party’s platform mentions a $6.4 billion plan to build 58,000 new and upgraded long-term care beds across the province by 2028.
View original article here Source
Diapers Size 4 - Huggies Little Movers Disposable Baby Diapers, 140ct, One Month Supply
$48.97 (as of February 24, 2025 19:04 GMT -06:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Organika Canadian-Made Electrolytes Powder- Variety Pack Sachets (Raspberry/Lemonade/Pineapple), On-the-Go Sugar-Free Hydration and Electrolyte Replenishment with Prebiotics and Vitamin C- 3.5g x 20ct
$25.99 (as of February 24, 2025 19:04 GMT -06:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Botanic Hearth 100% Pure Rosemary Oil For Hair Growth (6.7 fl oz) Infused With Biotin, Jojoba & castor Oil | Hair strengthening Treatment | Nourishing & Volumizing | Non GMO Verified
$19.99 (as of February 24, 2025 19:04 GMT -06:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Girl Moments: Coloring Book for Adults and Teens Featuring Cute Cozy Daily Activities for Relaxation
$11.33 (as of February 24, 2025 19:04 GMT -06:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
The Let Them Theory: A Life-Changing Tool That Millions of People Can't Stop Talking About
$28.15 (as of February 24, 2025 19:04 GMT -06:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
WALNEW RFID Blocking Passport Holder Travel Wallet Cover Case
$11.99 (as of February 24, 2025 19:04 GMT -06:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Royale Velour Toilet Paper, 12 Equal 24 Rolls, 142 Bathroom Tissues per roll
$7.97 (as of February 24, 2025 19:04 GMT -06:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
e.l.f. Glow Reviver Lip Oil, Nourishing Tinted Lip Oil For A High-shine Finish, Infused With Jojoba Oil, Vegan & Cruelty-free, Rose Envy
$7.74 (as of February 24, 2025 19:04 GMT -06:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
VOENXE Seamless Women Underwear Thongs,No Show Ladies Panties,Breathable Active Sports Thong,Invisible Workout Undies 5 Pack
(as of February 24, 2025 19:04 GMT -06:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)