Ottawa ON
Canada
Canada’s Veterans Ombudsman Guy Parent released today Continuum of Care: A Journey from Home to Long Term Care. The Report considers the current challenges faced by Veterans as they age and/or require more care. It also makes seven recommendations for change and calls on the Minister of Veterans Affairs and Veterans Affairs Canada to implement the recommendations within two years of the date of publication.
“The timing is right to make these changes,” said the Ombudsman. “The demographic shift – both in Canadian society and within VAC’s client base – has opened up a unique window of opportunity to make changes to the continuum of care for injured Veterans. Implementing my recommendations will make a positive difference by helping to ensure that ill or injured Veterans and their families receive the lifetime of care and support they need and deserve as a result of their service and sacrifice to Canada.”
The Report is the fourth in a series on the continuum of care for Veterans. It follows three Reviews published by the Office of the Veterans Ombudsman in 2013 and 2014 on Long Term Care (LTC), the Veterans Independence Program (VIP) and Assisted Living Options.
The Report finds that:
- There is inadequate support between at-home and LTC. While VIP helps Veterans remain independent and self-sufficient in their home, there may be inadequate support for Veterans as their needs change and remaining at home is no longer an option.
- Programs are too complex, and eligibility is often based on service type rather than needs. Complex eligibility makes it difficult for Veterans or their family members to understand and navigate the programs.
- There needs to be a single, simple “Continuum of Care” Program that adapts to the changing needs of Veterans and their families as they require more support.
- VAC should develop and communicate a strategy for providing support to Veterans within the context of the Canadian Health Care System.