The default approach of building large, institutional long term care is becoming economically unsustainable. New builds are reaching costs as high as $2 million per bed. With at least 16,000 additional beds needed over the next decade, we cannot meet demand, or deliver dignity, by repeating the same model.
For rural and remote communities, the harms are obvious. People are relocated far from home. Families are split up. Loved ones lose the ability to visit and provide day to day support, especially when there is no transportation or practical way to stay connected.
The alternative is clear: small scale long term care in every community. Home like settings, better social connection, improved resident experience, and often lower capital cost per resident. These models can also be deployed faster, and scaled up or down as community needs change.
Small scale long term care can also be the anchor for a local health and wellness hub. Pair it with a Community Health Centre and practical supports, such as outreach and mental health services, community paramedicine, emergency coordination, transportation, and living at home programming. Add community kitchens and gardens, training and wellness programming, and you have built something even bigger: a recruitment and retention strategy, and a way to rebuild the social fabric that keeps communities well.
Let’s start saving lives and money through better systems and approaches!
Bring health and wellness home!
Thank you to VCH for thinking outside the ‘economies of scale’ box and showing a good way forward!
Thank you @Office of the Seniors Advocate your ongoing commitment to our seniors in BC no matter what postal code they have!
Now we need to invest and build!
https://www.vch.ca/en/news/vancouver-coastal-health-introducing-small-care-homes
#health #healthcare #rural #BC
