Dear Editor
Jan. 5, there was an article in the Regina Leader Post, "Home Care, now and in the future". After I read the article, I was surprised to see that at no time was individualized funding mentioned as an alternative to home care by Roger Carriere, executive director of Community Care for Saskatchewan Health.
It is apparent Mr. Carriere is not a supporter of individualized funding. I do feel that even if he is not a supporter, it should be offered as an alternative to home care. Presently, there are less than 100 people on the program, a program that has been around for close to 10 years. Surely people in Saskatchewan should be given the opportunity to review the program, and not have it buried in home care.
Individualized funding (IF), is an alternative to home care. If you qualify for home care, you qualify for IF. IF puts the person with the need for home care in the driver's seat. First of all, you are assessed for the amount of hours you would receive through home care, those are the same number of hours you would receive under IF. You are the employer; it is up to you or your support group to hire an attendant. This way you can determine when you will have a bath, get up or go to bed. People who rely on home care are reliant on someone sent to their house. In many instances, it is not the same person all the time. You could receive intimate care from five different home care workers in five days. I don't know about you, but I certainly do not like the thought of a different person every day providing me with intimate care. The work "dignity" certainly doesn't fit into this scenario at all. With IF, you hire and you are the employer.
Individualized funding has been around for close to 10 years, and still, the Ministry of Health, Community Services Division still doesn't understand that it is an alternative to home care, and will not replace home care. IF will not fit into the lifestyles of many people, but there are a number that would benefit from it.
Telehomecare would likely fit into the picture, but it is not "the be all end all" to fix the problems in home care. Seniors want to stay in their homes and communities as long as they are able. Why not endorse a program that is already in place, that would allow this to happen. It certainly would be less expensive than building more nursing homes.
For more information on Individualized funding go to the Ministry of Health website: > programs and services > services for people with disabilities > Individualized funding, or via the URL: http://www.health.gov.sk.ca/individualized-funding This program is not just for people with disabilities, but is available for anyone who qualifies for home care. You can also contact the Saskatchewan Voice of People with Disabilities Inc. for more information on Individualized Funding at 1-877-569-3111.
Bev Duncan
Saskatchewan Voice of People with Disabilities, Inc.
