Supportive Housing For Seniors

1. Supportive Housing For Seniors 7th Annual Elder Health Think Tank Conference

2. Overview What we will do today: • Give history of program • Today’s operations • Reasons for success of program • Challenges for the future • Opportunities for questions 7th Annual Elder Think Tank Conference

3. Agency Mission “We are community partners in creating opportunities for people of all ages to dream, to achieve and to live full and rewarding lives.” 7th Annual Elder Think Tank Conference

4. Agency Vision “Good jobs, good health, safe shelter, vibrant cultures - Strong community.” 7th Annual Elder Think Tank Conference

5. Supportive Housing for Seniors Program started in 1998: • Idea began in mid 1990 with Board of Directors of Old York Tower • Incorporated in their planning, features that would give sense of security to their future residents 7th Annual Elder Think Tank Conference

6. Partnerships Efficiencies: • Partnerships sought out to create economies of scale in proposal • Old York Towers – 128 units • Older Women’s Network – 142 units • New Hibret Co-op – 141 units 7th Annual Elder Think Tank Conference

7. Agreement Lobbying: • Took 3 years of lobbying with Ministry of Health and Long Term Care • Ministry required separate agency to provide health services • Dixon Hall – community based, long established, multi service agency 7th Annual Elder Think Tank Conference

8. Today’s Operations Currently: • Performing Arts Lodge joined 2000 – now 4 apartment buildings in 1 city block • 616 units of housing, 800 residents • 100 seniors registered for service • 10 FTE staff 7th Annual Elder Think Tank Conference

9. Today’s Operations Currently: • Tenth year of operation • Services provided 24 hours daily, 7 days week • No service fees for eligible seniors • At capacity with a wait list 7th Annual Elder Think Tank Conference

10. Today’s Operations Services include: • Personal care • Light housekeeping • Emergency response • Case management and care coordination • Health promotion 7th Annual Elder Think Tank Conference

11. Benefits to Health Care System Cost effectiveness is key, also: • Individual’s dignity and independence maintained • Participation in own health care • Costly institutional living prevented, delayed • Medical recovery time reduced at home • Emergency room visits reduced 7th Annual Elder Think Tank Conference

12. Critical Success Factors Dixon Hall’s program won the Cooperative Housing Federation’s Best Practices award for “Aging in Place” or for helping residents to “Remain in Our Homes” 7th Annual Elder Think Tank Conference

13. Critical Success Factors Pillars of Success: • Health Services Committee • Flexibility of Program • Client Centred Approach • Effective Partnerships 7th Annual Elder Think Tank Conference

14. Health Services Committee Community approach to service delivery: • Representatives from each building • Ensures issues of concern are known, discussed • Dixon Hall service direction supported by Board and residents • Dixon Hall staff can work with building volunteers and support groups 7th Annual Elder Think Tank Conference

15. Program Flexibility Flexibility key to effective service delivery: • PSW visits scheduled according to resident needs • Can do short visits (few minutes) or long ones (couple of hours) • Very short travel time therefore fast response to emergency situations 7th Annual Elder Think Tank Conference

16. Client Centred Promote healthy community: • Individuals assessed, individualized service plan developed • Location based - staff and residents see each other frequently • Residents health is gently monitored • Early detection of health problems 7th Annual Elder Think Tank Conference

17. Partnerships Beyond the 4 buildings: • Staff work closely with CCACs bringing in therapists, nurses, necessary services • Staff work with families of residents • Staff arrange on site clinics – flu, foot care, fall prevention, etc. • Residents access other Dixon Hall programs 7th Annual Elder Think Tank Conference

18. Future Challenges At capacity, with wait list: • 20% of clients experiencing dementia • Population more frail, more complex medical conditions, living longer, chronic disease management is common • Requires more medical knowledge and training 7th Annual Elder Think Tank Conference

19. Summary • Supportive Housing program very effective model that allows seniors to age at home, delaying institutional care • Saves government $, treats people with dignity and respect, builds on community-based, locally based partnerships 7th Annual Elder Think Tank Conference

20. Links Here are links to relevant Toronto Star articles: http://www.thestar.com/article/532231 http://www.thestar.com/article/532163 http://www.thestar.com/article/532232 7th Annual Elder Think Tank Conference

21. Thank you • Sam Mo, Director Seniors programs • Norman Shao, Manager Supportive Housing Program for Seniors • Questions? 7th Annual Elder Think Tank Conference

22. The Health Office 85 The Esplanade Toronto ON M5E 1Y8 Tel: 416 365-0145 Fax: 416 365-9450 Website: www.dixonhall.org