Factors/Trends Influencing Home Care
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Seniors constitute one of the fastest growing populations in Canada. In addition, a growth in the very elderly population (seniors over the age of 75 years of age) has resulted in increased costs for health care and social service programs. Life expectancy has risen and has led to the survival of many individuals with functional deficits. There is increased pressure from families, advocacy groups, physicians and hospitals to care for these individuals in the community.

Improved technology has allowed for more frequent delivery of services in the community. Home-based dialysis and CADD pumps, for example, have allowed individuals to remain in their home. New technology requires more units of service per individual, as well more highly skilled staff to provide the more complex care. As more complex care services are provided, there are concerns that they may divert the amount of funding available for other home care services.

There is a growing need for information systems, specific to home care's unique needs, which aid workload measurement, client outcome measurement, service utilization and client satisfaction. Several jurisdictions across the country have identified improvements to management information systems in home care programs as a priority. These systems should link with other settings of care to provide better integration and easier movement for individuals throughout the care continuum.

Recent years have seen an increase in outpatient surgery, earlier discharges and a reduction in long-term and acute care hospital beds. For home care programs, these changes have meant more units of service per person served, the provision of care to more vulnerable, older, and frail individuals, and more intensive home care services. As more families and housing options include frail, elderly, at-risk or disabled individuals, there has been an increasing need for assistive devices and structural housing adaptations to allow people to live in the community.

As consumers become more informed, demands to be involved in decisions regarding their health are on the rise. Demands are also being heard for more service options that provide opportunities for participation. The importance of quality of life and appropriate services are now defined in client terms as being as close to home as possible and delivered in the least intrusive manner possible.