Conceptual Outline

Demographics are very important to health care providers. Tracking futures trends in the population allows the allocation of budgets, facilities and human resources focusing in a cost effective manner on areas of health care that is increasing in importance. In Canada there is an increasing awareness of population aging. An aging population is considered a population where the median age is increasing and significant cohorts of the population are above the age of 65. “The median age of Canadians has risen since then and in 2001 was 37.6 [from 25.4 in 1966]. This indicates that our population is aging (Statistics Canada, 2001).” In BC the median age is 38.4 in 2001which is up from 35.9 in 1996. In British Columbia 13.6% of the population are above the age of 65. Canada’s population is aging and there is an increase in the population of the extremely elderly. Living in care facilities is most common for those aged 85 and over. [There is a] dramatic rise in the proportion of the “oldest old” of our population. In a short 10-year period, from 1991 to 2001, the number of seniors aged 80 years and over increased by more than 40%, with substantial growth expected in the years ahead (2001 Census of Population, Cranwick, 2002).” A very elderly population creates great demands on a health care system and other care givers. When the elderly person is no longer able to look after themselves in their own home, they must rely on family to look after them or to institutional care. Approximately 10% of senior women and 5% of senior men live in residential facilities (Statistics Canada, 2001). Although there are population trends away from institutional care, waiting lists for care home facilities continue to increase. I am well aware of these trends as my mother’s position with the Simon Fraser Health Authority involves places patients, mainly seniors, in long-term care beds. The British Columbia Government has recently redesigned the care facility legislation. These new rules define two types of care facilities, care homes and extended care homes. Extended care homes are dedicated to patients that require 24 hour nursing care. Regular care homes, however, are populated by generally active and alert patients that only require assistance with some daily activities and basic medical care. I decided to look at care homes and placing one in an underserviced community.
The Home and Community Care Branches of the Ministry of Health Services is responsible for providing residential care for patients who are unable to remain in their homes due to the need for either medical or supportive care. “Licensed residential care facilities and homes provide care and supervision for persons who are unable to live on their own. Many of these facilities and homes are for elderly people who cannot live on their own (Ministry of Health and Ministry for Seniors).” These care homes provide assistance with daily activities and medical care. According to the Model Standards For Continuing Care and Extended Care Services April 1999 created by the British Columbia Ministry of Health and Ministry Responsible for Seniors care homes are responsible for some of the following when needed:
- personal care including grooming and toileting.
- provide[ing] nursing treatments such as: wound care, management of infections, ostomy care, tube feedings and oxygen therapy.”
- “provid[ing] a pleasant dining experience” and “opportunities for
socialization.”
Considerations for a new facility must take into account the legal requirements along with the health and comfort of residents. According to the Assisted Living Federation of America (ALFA) assisted living is [a] “health care alternative combining independence with personal care in a warm, dignified, community setting (Johnson, 2000, 43).” In the Community Care Facility Act facilities are required to “encourage residents to participate in the social activities and recreational programs provided by the facility, and to take advantage of social and recreational opportunities available in the community.”
[en. B.C. Reg. 119/99, s. 4.]
After a discussion with my mother on the needs of care home facilities, it became apparent that medical assistance is a secondary concern with patients. Social activities were the priority for most of the people who access these services. As closeness to family and continued involvement with the community are priorities for elderly patients when choosing a care facility, I decided to use IDRISI GIS to see if I could place a facility where it met the residents social needs without detracting from their specialized medical and daily needs. Factors I included in my decision making process were the closeness of community and recreation facilities such as libraries and parks. I also ensured that medical and emergency facilities were close at hand. I choose Prince George as an underserviced community in which to place my facility. Prince George has a population of 72,406. 5535, nearly 8% of the population, are 65 years of age or over yet only Prince George contains one private care home. The next nearest care facilities are about 180km away. Given the patients preference to remain in their hometown and close to family, Prince George seniors appear to be underserved by care homes.