Doctors’ house calls aimed at seniors poised to make a comeback
The Ontario government is poised to fulfill an election promise by bringing back doctors’ house calls as early as this fall, says the geriatrician charged with developing a provincial plan to improve health services for seniors.
Dr. Samir Sinha hinted that reviving this type of retro medicine would form a key part of a plan he’s devising for the governing Liberals that would support more seniors living at home. It would also help reduce hospital admissions and relieve pressure on nursing homes.
The service, first mentioned in last year’s Liberal campaign platform, would be aimed at housebound seniors with physical and cognitive frailties. Getting to the doctor’s office can be a difficult task for them, given that many have to arrange for transport.
A large number simply stop going to their appointments and only turn up at hospitals when their medical problems erupt into a crisis, often leading to seniors being shipped off prematurely to nursing homes. (citizen)
Dr. Samir Sinha hinted that reviving this type of retro medicine would form a key part of a plan he’s devising for the governing Liberals that would support more seniors living at home. It would also help reduce hospital admissions and relieve pressure on nursing homes.
The service, first mentioned in last year’s Liberal campaign platform, would be aimed at housebound seniors with physical and cognitive frailties. Getting to the doctor’s office can be a difficult task for them, given that many have to arrange for transport.
A large number simply stop going to their appointments and only turn up at hospitals when their medical problems erupt into a crisis, often leading to seniors being shipped off prematurely to nursing homes. (citizen)
