The rising number of patients awaiting placement in long-term care facilities while occupying hospital beds is causing concerns. This issue, although not new, is drawing criticism for tying up hospital resources, especially as hospitals are not ideal living environments for elderly individuals.
Recent data obtained through an access to information request by The Canadian Press reveals that as of August 3rd, there were 726 hospitalized patients waiting for placement in a long-term care facility (CHSLD). These patients do not require hospitalization but are unable to live at home due to their medical conditions, hence waiting for a CHSLD bed from the hospital.
Certain hospitals are particularly affected by this situation. For example, Pierre-Le Gardeur Hospital in Lanaudière has 43 patients on the waiting list for a CHSLD while occupying hospital beds. Similarly, Charles-Le Moyne Hospital in Montérégie has 37 such patients, and the Jewish General Hospital in Montreal has 30.
The data indicates a concerning trend. In the 2023-2024 fiscal year, there were 568 hospitalized patients waiting for long-term care placement. Each subsequent year has seen an increase of approximately 50 patients in this situation, with the majority waiting for more than seven days.
The Need for Enhanced Home Support
This rise was somewhat anticipated, attributed to the aging population by Paul Brunet, president of the Council for the Protection of Patients (CPM).
Both the Network for Cooperation of Social Economy Enterprises in Home Care (EÉSAD) and the CPM advocate for improved care and services at home as a solution.
Brunet highlights the effectiveness of regular caregiver visits to seniors at home, noting that this approach leads to decreased hospitalizations and shorter wait times for long-term care beds. He emphasizes that enhanced home support can alleviate strain on emergency rooms and long-term care facilities.
However, Brunet expresses concerns about the reduction in the number of hours of home support offered, despite an increase in its availability to more individuals.
J. Benoit Caron, Director General of EÉSAD, underscores the importance of home care services and personal assistance for maintaining autonomy and well-being in one’s immediate environment. He welcomes the government’s expansion of simplified home support projects to new regions, aiming to provide quicker and more accessible services to those in need.
In contrast to the prevailing hospital-centric approach in Quebec, Brunet and Caron advocate for a more holistic and proactive model of care that prioritizes home support and community-based interventions. They emphasize the benefits of early and ongoing home care services in enhancing the quality of life for seniors and reducing reliance on hospital resources.
