Bridging the Gap of Unmet Homecare Needs
With an increasingly larger segment of our population over 65 (mainly baby boomers) and longer life expectancies, combined with the reality of complex care that most often accompanies advanced age, it shouldn't be surprising that many individuals requiring care don't have their needs met within the traditional health care system in Canada. In fact, of the 6% of Canadian households that received formal homecare in 2021, nearly half reported that they needed homecare services but did not receive it.1
Reasons for the Gap in HomeCare
When examining the type of care provided, 48% reported only receiving medical care in-home (e.g. Nursing care), while nearly one-third reported receiving non-medical care (e.g. personal support with ADL's) and 20% receiving both. This shows that there is also likely a gap in the type of care provided (primarily non-medical care) as one can assume that individuals requiring medical care in-home would most likely benefit from support with other home related activities (ADL's and IADL's). This gap is likely due to a shortage of trained non-medical home care providers, a notion that is supported in British Columbia in BC Care Providers Association's fact sheet "10 Facts You Need to Know About the HCA Shortage in BC", with some pointing to low wages being the primary reason behind the shortage. Its very likely that BC isn't alone in the country in recruiting and retaining these skilled workers.
The Impact of Unmet Homecare Needs
Regardless of the reason for this shortage, it has a very real and unfortunate impact on those that require this much needed in-home care. In a recent publication, Stats Canada stated that "the extent to which home care needs are being met is relevant to the well-being of both the individual and the health care system. Unmet home care needs have been linked to negative consequences such as poorer health and increased use of other health services, admission to nursing homes, and reduced emotional well-being.2" If we examine this further, its likely that these negative impacts on individuals with unmet needs are due in part to Homecare providers playing a significant role in care coordination. Properly trained caregivers are key in the home as they often report behavioral changes to others on the healthcare team that may indicate a need for medical intervention3. Taking note of a patient's medication adherence, observing changes in appetite and/or mobility and cognitive abilities are just some of the issues that non-medical homecare staff can share with the rest of the healthcare team that would otherwise have gone unnoticed if they weren't involved in the person's care. Without question, we need to do more to ensure that people who need care at home receive it. To do so, we must come up with new solutions that address the problems plaguing both the public and private homecare industry.
Gravitii-A New Solution to Address the Gaps in Homecare
Gravitii aims to tackle some of these issues by putting patients and their family caregivers in direct contact with available care providers leveraging our technology. In doing so, we eliminate unnecessary bureaucracy that typically manages an individual's care services, ideally lowering the overall costs of care that naturally come with more efficient ways of delivering personal services. Furthermore, care providers can set their own wage which means they are more likely to feel valued and will likely play a factor in attracting more skilled homecare workers to our platform as well as retaining them. In turn, we strive to setup a better care experience for all as individuals needing care have more consistent care and can access the type of care they actually need, filling some gaps in care that simply can't be met by either the public or other private homecare companies currently.
If you or someone you know needs additional care that isn't being met by traditional care providers, please visit our website and start getting those needs met today! If you're a home health care provider that wishes to offer their services to help those with unmet care needs, you can start by signing up here now!
1Home care use and unmet home care needs in Canada, 2021 Released at 8:30 a.m. Eastern time in The Daily, Friday, August 26, 2022
2Unmet home care needs in Canada by Heather Gilmour Release date: November 21, 2018
3Nonmedical Care Providers Play a Key Role in Moving Patients Home by Rich Paul Thursday, May 4, 2023, https://www.homecaremag.com/