Paramedics to help tend to Sudbury seniors on wait list for long-term care

Paramedics will be visiting more Sudbury seniors at home as they wait for a spot in a long-term care facility.

The province is contributing $6.5 million to expand the community paramedicine program.

Eligible seniors on the long term care wait list will receive in-home and remote monitoring to keep track of changes in their health conditions, 24/7.

It's hoped the program will help keep seniors out of over-crowded hospitals.

The first phase of the program was announced in October in the Cochrane district and four other areas of the province.

"These services will complement the home and community care services they are receiving, while providing individual, families and care givers peace of mind while waiting for a bed in an LTC," saidNipissing MPP Vic Fedeli.

The province says the program will be delivered through local communities, providing:

• Access to health services 24-7, through in-home and remote methods, such as online or virtual supports;
• Non-emergency home visits and in-home testing procedures;
• Ongoing monitoring of changing or escalating conditions to prevent or reduce emergency incidents;
• Additional education about healthy living and managing chronic diseases;
• Connections for participants and their families to home care and community supports.