Two Health Service Providers Opt for Voluntary Integration - Community Support Services Exemplify Spirit of Cooperation

Two health-service providers in Ottawa West will soon merge, aiming to improve access to care, increase scope of services, and obtain efficiencies.

The Boards of Directors of Nepean Support Services and Western Ottawa Community Resource Centre, as well as the Champlain LHIN Board, have approved the change. It begins on April 1, 2009. Called a ‘voluntary integration,’ this sort of initiative results in a better coordinated health system. The Champlain LHIN provided $50,000 to help the two providers develop their model of integration. 

The Western Ottawa Community Resource Centre was incorporated in 1986 and serves clients in Goulbourn, Kanata and West Carleton. Nepean Support Services, incorporated in 1989, reaches residents in the urban and rural areas of the former City of Nepean.  

“Nepean Support Services began facing service capacity issues, and integration possibilities became more attractive,” explained Bob McGaraughty, president of that organization. “It became clear that the Western Ottawa Community Resource Centre was the best fit for us.  We thank the Champlain LHIN for supporting us during this intensive process.”

Both organizations provide services such as Meals on Wheels, transportation, home maintenance and friendly visiting. Such services effectively reduce the rates of hospital visits and premature admissions to long-term care homes.

“Although we have separate histories, we have always shared a common objective: to assist seniors and adults with physical disabilities to live independent, active and meaningful lives, said Darryl Kicul, past chair of Western Ottawa Community Resource Centre. “We remain dedicated to this objective now that we are merging as one.”

A key principle of this project is that any cost savings will be re-invested into client services. Overall, there will be improved access to care through one bilingual phone number. The integration will result in one Board of Directors, one executive director, a stronger infrastructure (i.e. finance, human resources, information technology), and enhanced fundraising in the long run.  

Next steps are to work through details for a smooth transition and engage stakeholders along the way. An evaluation plan will also be developed to ensure benefits to clients are being realized. The new agency will be called Western Ottawa Community Resource Centre.

Photo from left to right : Guy Le Madec, Board member, Nepean Support Services; Bob McGaraughty, Board chair, Nepean Support Services; Darryl Kicul, past Board chair, Western Ottawa Community Resource Centre; Cathy Jordan, executive director, Western Ottawa Community Resource Centre. 

Long-term Care Home in Ottawa East Introduces Snoezelen Room - Innovative therapy benefits seniors with cognitive and physical disabilities   

Saint-Louis Residence, a 198-bed long-term care home in Orleans, recently introduced a Snoezelen room for its residents and day-program clients. A non-traditional therapy originating in Holland, the room offers clients with Alzheimer’s and other disabilities a soothing atmosphere that relaxes the body and stimulates the senses.

Officials at Saint-Louis Residence provided a tour of the room on November 28, 2008 to health-care partners and the media. The tour was part of a larger event that also celebrated two other expanded or new services funded through the Champlain LHIN’s Aging at Home Strategy: 

1) An expansion of the day program at Saint-Louis Residence for francophone seniors with advanced stages of dementia, in which 10 additional clients will be served.

2) A new Dodge Caravan van to take seniors in Ottawa East to their medical appointments, day programs and recreational activities. The van is operated by the Eastern Ottawa Resource Centre for its clients.

During the tour of the Snoezelen room, pictures of moving fish swam along a wall beside a ‘bubble tube.’ Soft music played, and objects could be held and touched, such as a ‘fibre-optic spray’ that changes colours, or balls of varying textures. A large blue couch gently rocked, and from the ceiling billowed blue material studded with stars. One client had his feet snuggled into oversized silver massage shoes.   

Ottawa-Orleans MPP Phil McNeely and Champlain LHIN Board chair Marie Fortier attended the event, along with dozens of seniors involved in the programs. Other speakers were Renée Ladouceur-Beauchamp, Executive Director of the Eastern Ottawa Resource Centre, and Josée Belke, Executive Director of Saint-Louis Residence, which is operated by Bruyère Continuing Care.

The Champlain LHIN is providing close to $7 million this year to fund Aging at Home projects in the region. After three years, more than $30 million will have been added to the LHIN’s current annual budget for Aging at Home initiatives. To learn more about the other Aging at Home projects in our region, click here.

Photo caption (left to right): Josée Belke, Executive Director of Saint-Louis Residence/Élisabeth Bruyère Residence, Bruyère Continuing Care; MPP Phil McNeely;  and Marie Fortier, Champlain LHIN Board chair. 

Champlain LHIN Creates Population Health Profiles for Six Areas of Region - Documents to help with planning, community engagement, and funding strategies

The in-depth profiles examine population health trends and utilization of health services in Renfrew County, Ottawa West, North Lanark/North Grenville, Ottawa Central, Ottawa East and the Eastern Counties.  

“The profiles help us to take a step back and get our heads out of the nitty-gritty of budgets, service volumes and wait times,” said Brian Schnarch, Champlain LHIN Senior Epidemiology and Decision Support Consultant. “They help us to think broadly. Understanding the characteristics of the populations we serve helps to ground our decisions and adopt more holistic approaches.”

The documents provide useful and interesting health statistics on population characteristics, health status, risk/protective factors, and health-care services. Measures include employment levels, prevalence of chronic conditions, and rates of visits to emergency rooms, for example.

The information has been presented to all six Community of Care Advisory Forums in the Champlain LHIN. Each report contains a number of colourful maps, charts and graphs to illustrate the findings.

The population health profiles are just one example of a report recently released. For instance, the Champlain Cardiovascular Disease Prevention Network has launched the Atlas of Cardiovascular Health in the Champlain District 2008. Champlain LHIN epidemiologist Bruce Libman was involved as a contributor.

In addition, the Canadian Public Health Association recently funded the development of an assessment tool for cardiovascular disease prevention and management. The Champlain LHIN, under the direction of senior planner Karen Patzer, signed on as one of four pilot sites across Canada to work through and refine this important assessment resource.  

About the LHIN

The aim of the Champlain LHIN is to help coordinate health services so that people receive the care they need and deserve in a timely way.

The LHIN does not provide services directly. Rather, our mandate is to ensure the services are well organized, appropriately funded and meet the needs of residents of all ages. The Champlain LHIN plans, coordinates and funds health services in the following health sectors:

Addictions and Mental Health Agencies

Community Care Access Centre (CCAC or home care)

Community Health Centres (CHCs)

Community Support Services (such as Meals on Wheels)

Hospitals

Long-term Care Homes

Our values: Integrity, Respect, Innovation, Transparency and Accountability

Mission: To build a coordinated, integrated, and accountable health system for people where and when they need it. 

Our mission is based on a strong foundation of local community engagement, comprehensive planning, and appropriate resource allocation. www.champlainlhin.on.ca