Data Shows Ontario Long-Term Care Homes Making Progress in Key Care Measures
Highlights:
- 5% decline in potentially inappropriate use of antipsychotics
- 7% decline in the use of restraints (such as lap belts and bed rails)
- 3% decline in those experiencing pain in long-term care
- those experiencing worsened pain in long-term care remained stable
- the number of falls by residents within the last 30 days remained stable
OLTCA renews calls for additional funding to ensure the necessary supports for seniors with Alzheimer’s and Dementia
TORONTO, June 10, 2015 /CNW/ – The Ontario Long Term Care Association welcomed the release of detailed information on long-term care homes in Canada and Ontario by the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI), calling it an opportunity to showcase the innovative approaches being taken by long-term care homes to improve care being provided to seniors in long-term care.
“Despite the growing physical and cognitive needs of seniors in long-term care homes, we have seen steady and significant improvements in Ontario for most of the key measures that were tracked by CIHI over the last 3 years,” said Candace Chartier, CEO of the Ontario Long Term Care Association. “There is still more work to do, but overall we’re pleased that our hard work is seeing results.”
Highlights of the report from Ontario between 2010-11 and 2013-14 include:
5% decline in potentially inappropriate use of antipsychotics
7% decline in the use of restraints (such as lap belts and bed rails)
3% decline in those experiencing pain in long-term care
those experiencing worsened pain in long-term care remained stable
the number of falls by residents within the last 30 days remained stable
“We believe this information is important and will help caregivers and operators identify where things are going well and where improvements need to be made,” said Chartier. “At the same time, we caution against comparing homes directly without fully understanding the care challenges certain homes may be experiencing related to the acuity of the residents they’re caring for.”
The Association pointed to new data which demonstrates the increasing needs of seniors in long-term care homes. Seniors who come to long-term care are at a much more advanced stage of physical and cognitive decline than they were in the past. The vast majority (93%) of residents have two or more chronic health conditions; 62% of residents live with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia; and 46% display some level of aggressive behavior related to their dementia or mental health.
To help manage the increasing needs of residents, the Association has renewed calls to government to implement recommendations to strengthen the quality of care homes are providing to approximately 100,000 seniors every year. Specifically, the Association called for the implementation of a mental health support team in every long-term care home in the province, as well as better funding increases to cover rising operational and staffing costs, and to improve resident care, comfort and safety.
About the Ontario Long Term Care Association
The Ontario Long Term Care Association is the largest association of long-term care providers in Ontario and the only association that represents the full mix of long-term care operators – private, not-for-profit, charitable, and municipal. Our members provide care and accommodation services to over 70,000 residents annually in 440 long-term care homes in communities throughout Ontario.
SOURCE Ontario Long Term Care Association