TORONTO, ONTARIO, (August 19, 2015)—VHA Home HealthCare (VHA)—a not-for-profit, charitable organization—is delighted to announce it has been selected by Central East’s Community Care Access Centre (CCAC) to deliver integrated palliative care in Durham and Scarborough.

“We know that overwhelmingly people want to live out their last days at home,” says VHA’s CEO and President, Carol Annett. “Being part of this important initiative will help us expand our highly-specialized team and deliver on our core belief of client-driven care—because what matters most to our clients and their families is what counts. The chance to build upon our relationship with Central East CCAC and other community partners allows us to jointly learn, grow, inspire and innovate. Most importantly though, the collaboration will improve home care for clients in their final months and days of life.”

Central East CCAC’s model requires one organization to deliver both nursing and personal support services to a client with goal of increasing communication and collaboration among health care providers to the benefit of clients and families. By optimizing resources and working towards seamless care, the interdisciplinary teams will enhance the quality of care palliative clients receive with an emphasis on effective symptom and pain management to improve their overall quality of life.

“This initiative will allow us to further develop our expertise in community palliative care that’s been honed in other CCACs,” notes Chief Nursing Executive and Vice President Best Practices, Research and Education, Beatrice Mudge. “It also dovetails perfectly with our strategic priorities to further increase our nursing capacity in the GTA and participate in innovative models of integrated care,” she adds.

“We’re excited to be part of the collaboration,” says Vice President of Client Services, Barbara Cawley. “Not just for the positive impact on client experience, but because we know co-ordinated, specialized support is critical to family caregivers who bear much of the burden of care.”

Implementation will begin in the early fall of 2015.

About VHA Home HealthCare

For 90 years, VHA Home HealthCare—a not-for-profit, charity—has inspired Ontarians with its mission of creating possibilities for more independence. VHA admits 85,000 clients annually in eight CCAC areas. Our professional, caring team of over 2,000 staff and service providers supports clients and their families to live their best life possible. VHA is proudly:

• Accredited with Exemplary Standing by Accreditation Canada.
• An RNAO Best Practice Spotlight Organization designate.
• A founding member agency of United Way Toronto.

Contact Information:
VHA Home HealthCare
Pamela Stoikopoulos
Communications Manager
416-489-2500 Ext. 4344
pstoik@vha.ca