Senior Friendly Care

It is well documented that baby boomers (those born between 1946-1966) are starting to transition into the seniors age group and it is expected the numbers of seniors (those over 65 years of age) will increase by 18% in the next 5 years. Chatham-Kent Health Alliance has recently completed a self assessment process to look at how we deliver “Senior Friendly Care” as part of a province wide initiative.

As part of the self assessment process we looked at how we provide care to seniors using as a framework organizational supports; processes of care; emotional and behavioral environment; ethics in clinical care and researchas related to the senior’s experience; and the physical environment. As part of the assessment we have been asked to plan for changes within CKHA to improve the care of seniors with the priority to returning seniors to their own homes as often as possible. We are daily faced with increasing numbers of patients who are seniors with very unique care needs. Through the evaluation process we learned we are doing lots of work to support seniors but we also have lots of opportunities to work with our community to make our senior care even better.This is a big job but one we are very excited to undertake.It’s just one more way CKHA is working to provide high quality and safe care to all members of the Chatham-Kent community.