Press Release
The North West Local Health Integration Network (LHIN) is expanding its successful “Aging at Home Strategy” to provide additional supportive housing in Kenora and Dryden, and to fund a new supportive housing initiative in Rainy River.
More Kenora, Dryden, and Rainy River seniors now will have access to additional care in their communities.
The new supportive housing services in each of these communities include:
•supports for 20 individuals in Kenora;
•supports for 10 individuals in Rainy River; and
•supports for five individuals in Dryden.
This funding will provide health services to seniors in the comfort and dignity of their own home.
Supportive housing helps seniors to lead healthy and independent lives while avoiding unnecessary visits to hospitals, which ultimately can reduce emergency room wait times.
It provides an option for seniors to age in the community with 24-hour support, and helps reduce wait lists for long-term care.
Findings from a recent study indicate up to two-thirds of those waiting for residential long-term care in Kenora, Dryden, and Rainy River could continue to live in the community if supportive housing was available.
Supportive housing options also support the adoption of a “Home First” philosophy in the North West LHIN that people should go “home first” once the acute phase of their hospital stay is complete before any longer-term decisions are made about their ongoing care.
Supportive housing provides additional options for safe discharge, enabling seniors with higher needs to age in the community with appropriate supports.
“We are pleased to be funding these new supportive housing services in communities where we know they are needed,” said Janice Beazley, chair of the North West LHIN board.
“We are excited to see this initiative go forward,” she enthused. “This will help support our priority to help seniors in the North West LHIN stay healthy and safe at home.”
“Our thanks to the providers and the communities for their support as we have been working to find local solutions to address the increasing demands for community supports for seniors,” echoed North West LHIN CEO Laura Kokocinski.
“These investments will ensure that more people get the care they need in the right setting,” she added.
“We are very excited and welcome this announcement from the North West LHIN,” said Kristan Miclash, executive director of Northwestern Independent Living Services, Inc.
“We look forward to providing our supportive housing services in Rainy River at Riverview Manor.
“The Rainy River District Social Services Administration Board, along with the community of Rainy River, have been key partners in the development of this worthwhile project and we look forward to working very closely with both that will ensure its success,” Miclash noted.
