Aging At Home

Home First

Home First is a significant shift in health care thinking.  When a person enters a hospital with an acute episode, every effort is made to ensure adequate resources are in place to support the person to ultimately go home on discharge.  Only when returning home with care is not possible or safe to do so, are other options considered.

 
Essentially, Home First is about providing the right care, in the right place, at the right time and for the right cost.

Watch a video about how the Home First program is changing the care of seniors in Ontario:

Home First Implementation Guide and Toolkit (Currently Being Updated)

Home First FAQ 

SMILE (Seniors Managing Independent Living Easily)

On February 25, 2008, the South East LHIN Board of Directors approved the SMILE program and the selection of VON Canada - Ontario as the regional management centre for the program. SMILE, a new long-term functional support program for frail and elderly seniors, is the culmination of a five-month planning effort in the South East - involving seniors and health service providers, to implement the government's Aging at Home Strategy. The Aging at Home Strategy is part of two major government priorities for health care announced by Minister of Health and Long-Term Care George Smitherman on April 23, 2008. They are aimed at reducing emergency room (ER) wait times and connecting patients to family health care.

The SMILE program will make it possible for more seniors who are frail and elderly, and most at risk of premature institutionalization, to receive help with activities that are essential to daily living, so they can remain in their homes. Because dignity is a matter of choice, SMILE will offer them options in managing their care, in selecting services, in choosing who comes into their home and when.

For more information about SMILE, click here. Read the South East’s aging at home plan, A Plan to Help Seniors Stay at Home, or read the synopsis of the plan. See Portraits of Three Seniors to find out how three seniors from our area are managing at home.

Updates and Information About the Aging at Home Planning Effort
SMILE Program brochure
Final Aging at Home Plan: Executive Summary
Final Aging at Home Plan: A Plan to Help Seniors Stay at Home 
Highlights of the November 28th Planning Session
Summary Report of the November 2nd Provincial Forum (Seniors’ Groups)
Summary Report of the November 2nd Provincial Forum (Provider Associations)
Highlights of the October 11th Seniors’ Forum
Fast Facts and Provincial Assumptions About Aging 

Communications to Health Service Providers About Aging at Home
March 3rd Report from Paul Huras, CEO, South East LHIN, to Health Service Providers
October 12th Letter from Paul Huras, CEO, South East LHIN, to Health Service Providers

Links to Public Communications
South East LHIN news release, February 25, 2008 – Innovative support program will help seniors at home SMILE – VON awarded contract by South East LHIN
South East LHIN news release, December 20, 2007 – Home support plan for seniors to offer flexibility and choice
South East LHIN news release, October 15, 2007 – ‘Aging at Home’ kick-off in the South East: Area seniors meet with Local Health Integration Network
Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care news release and backgrounder, August 28, 2007