ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
Date: August 27, 1995
Dept. File: CC26-95
TO: Vancouver City Council
FROM: Director of Continuing Care
SUBJECT: Services for the Frail Elderly
RECOMMENDATION
THAT Council approve the expansion of an existing Occupational
Therapist position (#4520) in the Home Care Program from 0.50 FTE
to 1.00 FTE to provide support to the Frail Elderly Project at no
cost to the City. The source of funds to be from within existing
operating budgets of the Service for the Frail Elderly Project.
GENERAL MANAGER'S COMMENTS
The General Manager of Community Services RECOMMENDS approval of
the foregoing.
COUNCIL POLICY
Council, on February 3, 1992, 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.
PURPOSE
The purpose of this report is to seek Council's approval to expand an
existing Occupational Therapist position (#4520) in the Home Care
Program from 0.50 FTE to 1.00 FTE to provide support to the Services
for the Frail Elderly Project. Funding for this additional 0.50 FTE
position is to be funded from within existing operating budgets of the
Services for the Frail Elderly Project.
BACKGROUND
In March 1995, Council approve the receipt of ongoing annual funding
from the Ministry of Health for the Integrated Services for the Frail
Elderly Project. This Project targets the frail elderly segment of
the population through increased home care, facility care, and
community-based consultation services. One of the key aspects of the
Frail Elderly project is to enable earlier discharge from hospital
through increased community services - in particular for elderly
patients who have suffered a stroke, fractured hip, or have undergone
hip or knee replace-ment surgery. In addition, the Project seeks to
avoid hospital admission by faster community assessment. Accordingly,
the project requires occupational therapy staff.
SOCIAL IMPLICATIONS
The Vancouver Health Department supports the need for the cost-
effective expansion of community based health services that replace
services which are traditionally provided only to hospital in-
patients. By significantly enhancing services in the community, and
by targeting those services towards segments of the population which
have a considerable need and/or are currently underserviced (e.g.,
frail elderly) the Vancouver Health Department can increase its
ability to care for people in their "homes" rather than in hospital.
PERSONNEL IMPLICATIONS
This proposal involves the expansion of a currently vacant 0.50 FTE
regular part-time Occupational Therapist position (#4520) in the Home
Care Program to a 1.00 FTE regular full-time position.
This will place the Vancouver Health Department in a better position
to attract qualified candidates.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
In allocating the operating budgets approved by the Ministry of
Health, the Service for the Frail Elderly Project has provided for
this additional 0.50 FTE position. There are sufficient funds in
existing salary and fringe benefit accounts to cover the estimated
$26,500 cost of this proposal. Approval of this proposal will not
result in additional cost to the City.
IMPLEMENTATION and COMMUNICATION
A copy of this report has been sent to the Vancouver Health Board and
the V.M.R.E.U.
CONCLUSION
Council should approve the proposal recommended by the Director of
Continuing Care.
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