Renfrew Victoria Hospital Assisted Living Services receives funding to expand services
April 24, 2023
New permanent funding from Ontario Health will allow the RVH Assisted Living Services (ALS) program to provide support to 10 additional clients in the Renfrew area. As well, the program will expand to support five new clients in the Calabogie area and 5 in the Cobden/Eganville area, bringing the total number in the program to 40 – double the current roster.
The ALS program at RVH, which began in 2013, supports patient transitions from acute care to home, assists seniors to live safely at home, and reduces the risk of unnecessary Emergency Department visits and hospitalizations.
A Renfrew resident who has been receiving ALS support for several months says the program is excellent and notes that without the twice-daily visits, he would have to make other adjustments to be able to stay at home.
“I would absolutely recommend the service. The workers are great – on time, professional and they go the extra mile to help without even being asked,” he states.
Patients must be referred through home and community care services. There is currently a waitlist for the ALS program at RVH which includes clients who have been waiting for over a year.
A registered nurse assessment is completed in order to develop a plan of care with each elderly client who is admitted into the program, and Personal Support Workers (PSWs) are available on a 24/7 basis.
“This program has proven successful in keeping our clients in their homes for up to five years longer based on statistics over time,” stated Chris Ferguson, RVH VP of Patient Services. “This is great news for the elderly in our area.”
The new funds will be used to hire and train the staff that will be required to expand the program, as well as for the purchase of small items and equipment that will be needed for both staff and patients.
The goal is to have the expanded program up and running early in the fall of 2023.
“Huge thanks to the team at RVH that was involved in writing and submitting the proposal. I would also like to extend our gratitude to Ontario Health for approving the funds to make this happen – we know there is a need in Renfrew and area and have been working towards expanding our Assisted Living program for a number of years. This will be wonderful for our community,” said Julia Boudreau, RVH CEO.
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For more information, please contact:
Julia Boudreau, CEO,
Renfrew Victoria Hospital & St. Francis Memorial Hospital
613-432-4851, ext. 260