Alberta Senior Care
A closer look at home and long-term care in Calgary
Debbie Franchuck - Faces of Senior Care
"I hear the concerns from the families who call us saying there just doesnt seem to be enough hands and feet in the building." - Debbie Franchuck.
Debbie Franchuck is a registered nurse and the Director of Senior Care at Home Instead, a privately run and funded company that provides care to seniors wherever they live. These services include companionship, house keeping, grocery shopping and daily tasks like grooming.
Independence in the Home
Franchuck says that staying in the home gives seniors a much-needed sense of familiarity and stability.
"I think that the companionship is a big piece, because emotionally if you’re not well that affects your physical wellness.”
One-to-one Care
Home Instead also works alongside the staff of assisted living centers, providing one-to-one care with patients who need extra attention.
Some assisted living centers struggle with staffing, so private companies like Home Instead offer additional care and services to seniors.
Offering Choices
Franchuck says that giving Albertans choices for their home care needs would go a long way to improving the system.
One option for seniors is called self-managed care, where clients apply for funding and can choose how their health care dollars are spent.
For more information on the services and choices offered to seniors in Alberta, contact Alberta Health Services or click the links below.
http://www.albertahealthservices.ca/7733.asp
http://www.albertahealthservices.ca/4482.asp