FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

OANHSS Welcomes Government Continuance Of Physiotherapy

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TORONTO (March 24, 2005) – The Ontario Association of Non-Profit Homes and Services for Seniors (OANHSS) is pleased with the province’s announcement today that physiotherapy will continue to be provided to residents of long term care homes and seniors in the community, and that current gaps in service will be addressed.

“We welcome this decision, and we look forward to working with government to ensure that these individuals have equal access to the level of physiotherapy they need, regardless of where they live in the province,” said Gail Carlin, Chair of the Board of OANHSS.

“But to achieve these goals, there will have to be significant new investment. It won’t be enough to simply spread existing dollars across the system,” Carlin noted.

Currently, slightly over half of OANHSS member homes have access to physiotherapy through clinics which bill OHIP for these services. These homes are mostly in urban areas.

The other half – typically homes in the North and rural areas – do not have access to such clinics. In some of these cases, Community Care Access Centres (CCACs) may provide a limited level of service, while in others physiotherapy is not available at all.

Details of the provincial plan are not yet known. In a recent submission to government, OANHSS identified what it believes are the basic elements of a comprehensive therapy program:

• Residents of long term care homes and seniors in the community currently receiving physiotherapy from clinics that bill OHIP should continue to be provided at least the same level of service. There should be no reduction in the number of hours of physiotherapy to which they are now entitled.
   
• All other residents and seniors (primarily those in rural and Northern areas) should be brought up to this level of physiotherapy. It is only fair and equitable that similar services be available to all regardless of location.
   
• Minimum standards for physiotherapy and other therapy services should be established, with the province providing adequate funding to support these standards.
   
• Services should be broadened beyond physiotherapy to include those delivered by multi-disciplinary therapy teams which may include physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, and support assistants

Physical therapy can make an enormous difference in helping people live as independently as possible. It is estimated by professionals working in homes today that 60-70 per cent of residents have the potential to improve their level of function or prevent or delay deterioration of their movement and other independence around their daily activities such as dressing and movement.

Physiotherapy is also cost effective. For example, enabling residents to walk reduces the need to transport them to meals and other activities. Muscle strengthening reduces falls and the need for support in toileting and eating.

“Our members tell us that physiotherapy is vital to the well being of many residents and seniors,” Carlin said. “These services get them walking again, give them hope and encouragement, and result in a better quality of life.”

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For further information, please contact:

Ontario Association of Non-Profit Homes & Services for Seniors
7050 Weston Road, Suite 700, Woodbridge, Ontario L4L 8G7
(P) 905-851-8821
(F) 905-851-0744

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OANHSS members include not-for-profit providers of long term care, services and housing for seniors in Ontario.
Members include municipal and charitable long term care homes, non-profit nursing homes,
seniors' housing projects and community service agencies.