Seniors have CHOICE

At 85 years old, Frank Blackwell has just discovered how much he loves dominoes, card games and the interesting stories of new friends.

He discovered these passions after being referred to the Comprehensive Home Option of Integrated Care for the Elderly (CHOICE) program at CapitalCare Norwood in Edmonton.

Twice a week, Blackwell is picked up by bus and taken to CapitalCare Norwood (one of five CHOICE sites), where he takes part in various activities and meets with his CHOICE team.

“I’m quite happy to get out and meet other people and to see that I’m not as sick as I thought I was, because I am well looked after at CHOICE. I really appreciate that,” says Blackwell.

The program, funded by Alberta Health Services (AHS), is designed to be a one-stop shop for its clients. Each is assigned a team that includes a doctor, nurse, physiotherapist, occupational therapist, social worker, pharmacist and activity and personal care staff. In-home care and after-hours emergency access are also provided.

“This co-ordinated team approach is a way we are able to keep people at home and out of hospital and long-term care," says Caroline Clark, executive director, Seniors Health, Edmonton zone.

A recent one-year study looked at the number of emergency department visits by CHOICE clients before and after enrollment in the program. In the six months before joining CHOICE, clients visited emergency 299 times; in the six months after, they made 210 emergency visits, a 30 per cent decrease.

“We are able to catch problems before they end up in the emergency department,” says Michele Jessop, AHS supervisor for CHOICE programs, Home Living and Community Care Services. “For instance, if they’ve had a fall and are not sure if they’re OK, or if they have questions about their blood sugar and are not sure what they should do, we can help them during the day or after hours through our 24-hour (phone) line.”

Blackwell likes CHOICE for two reasons. It gives his team a bird’s-eye view of his medical and social needs. And it gives him some much-needed respite from caring for his wife, who needs 24-hour care in their continuing care residence.

“I am able to get away for a few hours. It’s exciting and I’m not worrying about my wife,” says Blackwell.

The Edmonton program serves more than 500 clients (mostly seniors) a year. Similar programs in Calgary and Lethbridge serve another 200 clients. In other parts of the province, day programs offer a range of services to support seniors and adults with disabilities.