Updated September 2008 Hamilton Notes Learning About Your Community Care Access Centre & the Long-Term Care Process

Agenda Welcome and introduction: What is HNHB CCAC? What is a long-term care (LTC) home? What do LTC homes provide? What’s involved in the LTC process? Are there waiting lists? When is the right time to apply? Question and answer period Closing remarks

About the CCAC We arrange for: Professional health services & personal support care at home Children to receive care at school and home Admissions to long-term care homes and refer clients to adult day programs General information & referral to community services

Who we are HNHB CCAC serves the communities of Hamilton, Niagara, Haldimand-Norfolk, Brant and Burlington

Who we are - continued Services funded by the Government of Ontario Governed by a volunteer Board of Directors Serve population of 1.3 million More than 640 staff located throughout HNHB

Did you know? You don’t need a doctor’s referral to access CCAC services

What we do Provide information about and referral to CCAC and community supports and services Help people remain at home, or return there more quickly from hospital stay Support clients through the application and admission process to a long-term care home when living at home is no longer possible

Why we do it Approximately 80,000 clients receive HNHB CCAC services each year

Who we serve People of all ages Approximately 10-20% of clients are under 18 years of age Approximately 50-60% are seniors

Help people “navigate” the health care system Confirm who is eligible for CCAC services Assess and determine services required Monitor care plan May be located in hospitals Case managers are regulated health care professionals (e.g. RN, OT, PT, etc.) Community Case Management

Who is eligible for CCAC services? Valid Ontario health card Need treatment Require at least one service, e.g. -Case management -Nursing -Occupational therapy -Physiotherapy -Speech-language pathology -Nutrition -Personal support (bathing, feeding) -Social work

Number of home care visits/hours annually Personal Support: 2,354, 356 hours Nursing: 954,170 visits Therapies: 203,356 visits

Information and referral Provide information about CCAC and community services to the public Facilitate referrals to CCAC-funded services and other community supports and services Access us by calling one of our main phone lines

CCAC branch specialty services Pediatric and school care Palliative care (end-of-life care) Link with Family Health Teams Convalescent care Ambulatory nursing clinics

Our health partners Physicians (family doctor and others) Contracted service providers, e.g. nursing agencies Community agencies, e.g. Cancer Society, Alzheimer’s Society School boards Long-term care homes Hospitals Local Health Integration Network (LHIN)

A closer look at HNHB CCAC partners 11 hospital corporations 21 hospital sites 16 emergency rooms 87 long-term care homes (family & resident councils) 100+ community support programs 8 ambulatory care centres 9 school boards and numerous private schools 5 hospices

What is a long-term care home? Formerly called nursing homes, or homes for the aged For people who have more needs than can be managed at home (or wherever they are living) Care can include nursing care, personal care and/or supervision available 24-hours/day

What do long-term care homes provide? 24-hour professional supervision Administering of medications and treatments Care by personal support worker (e.g. help with eating, grooming, bathing, dressing, toileting and walking, as needed)

What do long-term care homes provide? Special diets (if required) Room and meals Social and recreational programs Personal laundry

Before you choose LTC Have you explored/considered other options? Other housing such as supportive housing or retirement homes Other community supports Adult Day Programs Meal delivery services Volunteer visitors Respite care

Retirement homes vs. LTC – what’s the difference? Long-Term Care Homes Retirement Homes EligibilityMinistry of Health and Long-Term Care sets eligibility for LTC home admission Do not have “eligibility” rules - you are a tenant CostCharge the same (set by the provincial government) Charges vary across and within homes

Retirement homes vs. LTC – what’s the difference? Long-Term Care Homes Retirement Homes Services Provided Provide supervision, personal support services and medical care Provide supervision and support Admission Process CCAC manages application and admission to a LTC homes You apply directly to retirement homes (homes of your choice)

CCAC & LTC placement CCACs manage the application, waiting list and offer process to LTC homes Our role: Provide information about the process Assess eligibility Coordinate the application process Manage the waiting list Inform people when a vacancy is available Manage out-of-province applications

What is the LTC placement process? Application begins with an assessment by a CCAC staff member A CCAC staff member comes to your home or hospital Consent is needed from you or your substitute decision maker Medical history form completed by doctor (or a RN)

What is the LTC placement process? Eligibility confirmed Next steps are: You will be given a list of LTC homes You are encouraged to visit potential choices prior to finalizing your application You can apply for up to three homes in Ontario at any one given time You select the type of room desired and can afford: basic (ward), semi-private or private

Costs for LTC homes All LTC homes charge the same (regulated by the provincial government) Costs based on basic, semi-private or private rooms Additional information about costs is available on our website

About the waiting list You go on a waiting list once the LTC home agrees it can meet your needs and all paperwork is complete You are notified by the CCAC when one of your choices is available You have 24 hours to decide (accept or decline)

More about the waiting list Wait times vary (depends on many things) Once you accept a bed, you can stay on the waiting lists for your other choice(s) Crisis admissions are given priority, should the need arise CCAC works with LTC homes to ensure the most appropriate fit for your needs

What if I don’t accept the placement? Your LTC placement file is closed You can re-apply for LTC after six months If your condition changes significantly, call the CCAC for more information about re-application

When is the right time to consider LTC? No easy answer! Please consider: Overall health condition of applicant and caregiver(s) - declining or stable? Is an increasing amount of care needed? Is there more than one health condition? What community supports are available? Is caregiver health/safety an issue? Are care needs greater than can be provided by the caregiving team in the home?

When is the right time to consider LTC? Make it a discussion – speak with your health care team (physicians, CCAC, etc.); involve family members, friends and loved ones We strongly recommend visiting LTC homes: CCAC will provide a list of LTC homes Ask for a tour Bring a list of questions and take notes Visit our website for a complete list of LTC homes within HNHB

LTC home checklist: Location Appearance Room features Number of residents Furnishings Common areas Atmosphere Family involvement Meals Lifestyle/programs/ recreation Special needs Additional charges Frequency of health services Medical care Future needs Every LTC home has unique features; here are some things to consider:

In summary LTC isn’t a foregone conclusion: there are many community supports to help people remain at home If you think it’s time (or soon will be) for LTC placement, call the CCAC Remember there are waiting lists: Think ahead Pre-arrange a visit to several LTC homes before finalizing your application A decision today doesn’t mean a move tomorrow, but you do need to prepare ahead of time – once the bed offer is made, the move can be quick!

Contacting your CCAC Hamilton Branch: or Toll Free: Niagara Branch: or Toll Free: Haldimand-Norfolk Branch: or Toll Free: Brant Branch: or Toll Free: Burlington Branch: or Toll Free: Website:

Funded by the Government of Ontario through the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care and the HNHB Local Health Integration Network