ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
Date: June 22, 1995
Dept. File No: CC21/95
TO: Vancouver City Council
FROM: Director of Continuing Care
SUBJECT: Integrated Services for the Frail Elderly Program - Aids to
Independent Living
RECOMMENDATION
THAT Council approve the allocation of $60,000 of the start-
up funding received from the Ministry of Health for t h e
Integrated Services for the Frail Elderly Program to the Aids for
Independent Living Program.
MANAGER'S COMMENTS
The General Manager of Community Services RECOMMENDS approval of
the foregoing.
COUNCIL POLICY
Council on February 3, 1994 approved a motion that any recommendations
for increased staff or enhanced programs be offset by corresponding
spending reductions or by increases in non-taxation revenues, subject to
Council discretion.
Council on March 28, 1995 approved the receipt of one time funding from
the Ministry of Health for the start up costs of the Integrated Services
for Frail Elderly Program in the amount of $266,540.
PURPOSE
The purpose of this report is to seek Council's approval to distribute
$60,000 of the start up funding of $266,540 for the Integrated Services
for the Frail Elderly Program to the Aids for Independent Living
Program.
DISCUSSION
The Aids to Independent Living (AIL) Program is operated as a
partnership between the Vancouver Health Department and the Red Cross
Society. The operating funds for the program are provided by the
Ministry of Health through the Community Partnership Program. An
Advisory Committee, which includes representatives from the Health
Departmentand theRed Cross, providesoverall direction tothe AIL Program.
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The main purpose of the AIL program is to coordinate the provision of
aids to independent living to Continuing Care clients within available
resources, when the appropriate equipment needs have been established.
In line with this mandate, the AIL program represents a key component of
the overall enhancement of the services to the frail elderly through the
Integrated Services for the Frail Elderly Program. One of the main
areas which this program addresses is the provision of increased support
to frail elderly clients in order to allow them to remain at home, or to
be discharged from the hospital sooner. In order to achieve this
increased support, it is important that not only is the staffing support
available but also basic pieces of equipment which allow the individual
to function at home. Examples of the type of equipment which will be
provided include wheelchairs, commodes, walkers and bathtub support
bars.
The AIL program has been functioning for three years. Rather than
setting up a new and/or separate loan/coordinating service, it was
determined by the Frail Elderly planning group that the most economical
and appropriate way to provide this expanded equipment support for the
frail elderly is through the existing AIL program. The funds which are
to be allocated will enable the AIL program to purchase additional
equipment which will become part of the inventory of the AIL program.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
This program is fully funded by the Ministry of Health. Start up
funding of $266,540 has been received. Allocation of start up funding
will not result in any net cost to the City.
SOCIAL IMPLICATIONS
By enhancing services in the community, and by targeting those services
towards segments of the population which have a considerable need and/or
are currently under serviced, the Vancouver Health Department can
increase its ability to care for people in their "homes" rather than in
hospital.
CONCLUSION
Council should approve the proposal recommended by the Director of
Continuing Care.
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