The number of Quebecers waiting at home for home care has increased by 62% in five years.
The more the government invests in home support, the longer the waiting list, according to data from the Ministry of Health and Social Services (MSSS) obtained by Le Journal.
Last year, more than 55,000 Quebecers waited for a home service, up 62% from five years ago.
More hours, more waiting
However, the number of hours offered in home care has also increased by 64% from 19 to over 32 million hours in the same period.
“Obviously it’s not working,” notes Alison Green, vice president of the Quebec Home Care Association and founder of Bien chez soi.
According to the MSSS, the number of Quebecers waiting for a first home service has also doubled in five years. Another sign that the population is aging faster than the supply of services.
And this despite the fact that the MSSS brings in more than two billion dollars annually. “Secret care is a priority […] The goal is to continue the effort and investment to improve care and services at home,” writes spokeswoman Marie-Claude Lacasse via email.
“Not sustainable”
“It is clear that it is not financially sustainable to continue as we are doing now,” says geriatrician and former Health Minister Réjean Hébert.
Réjean Hébert, geriatrician and former Minister of Health. Photo courtesy
He has been calling for home care reform for years. “You have to give the patient the budget, whether it’s a check or a budget to use public or private services, like in other countries.” Right now we’re giving the money to the facilities without knowing if it’s going to be in services,” he explains.
For Alison Green, the wait creates uncertainty and is pushing Quebecers into private housing estates (RPAs) and CHSLDs. She also regrets that a large portion of the Home Support Tax Credit is used to reimburse rents in RPA, places for independent seniors.
“It’s a double standard,” she said, urging the government to reach an agreement with private companies.
Alison Green founded the company Bien chez soi. Photo Pierre Paul Poulin
The founder of the Amika company, Alexandre Blais, points out that personalized home care is possible thanks to the flexible working hours of the staff, who can, for example, provide help both before bedtime and at sunrise.
In particular, a mobile application for viewing work schedules also reduces bureaucracy.
A devastating report
According to the Health and Welfare Commissioner’s latest report, more money does not guarantee more accessible, relevant and effective care.
Joanne Castonguay’s report, published last month, pointed out that despite greater funding, home care was producing “worrying results”.
“The proportion of hours worked in direct contact with the user for professional services and care is low at 25% and 32%, respectively,” it says.
On this subject, the Minister responsible for seniors, Sonia Bélanger, had mentioned the need for a correction in funding.
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