EDMONTON- Many Albertans who rely on home care service providers are worried about the future of their care.
Beginning June 1st, Alberta Health Services (AHS) is amalgamating home care providers across the province. As a result, AHS will cut the number of home care providers in Edmonton from 35 to 10.
“My reaction is uh-oh. Just straight uh-oh,” said Morgan Needham.
Morgan has cerebral palsy and has lost most of the function in his legs. His entire family relies on his home care provider to help him with the day-to-day tasks many people take for granted.
“She’s always doing something for him; clipping his toes, washing his hair, whatever needs to be done, whatever he needs. If we go out of town for the weekend she’ll grab his meals,” said Morgan’s brother Kyle Needham.
“She does a phenomenal job. I’d be lost without her,” Morgan added.
As a person who works best with a routine, Morgan worries he may be given a new caregiver, because the move means his current caregiver could be moved to a different zone or assigned a new agency.
“It’s definitely difficult when you’re dealing with a new person because they don’t know what I’m capable of,” he explained Saturday afternoon. “It’s a lot more stress and strain because I’m trying to figure out, okay, what does she need from me, and she’s trying to figure out what I need from her.”
But it’s not just himself he’s worried about.
“I might be the one acutely affected by it, but it affects the entire family. Because I still need things done even if home care is cut. I still need it done.”
“For the most vulnerable sector, it’s getting worse. People that need the help aren’t getting it,” Kyle added.
Home care providers were notified of the amalgamation on Thursday evening. The transition period will take two to four months. AHS says the move will result in a savings of $18.5 million per year, but maintains patient care will not be disrupted.
“This decision is going to result in much better value for money in terms of how we utilize tax payers’ dollars to provide home care services. Ultimately, it’s going to result in better quality care as we work to redesign home care with fewer providers to make sure that we provide the best possible services to clients,” said David O’Brien, senior vice president of primary and community care with AHS.
But Friends of Medicare isn’t convinced. Executive Director Sandra Azocar believes patient care will suffer.
“When they cut access to services it doesn’t promote a better quality of services, it doesn’t promote a more timely service. It just creates more stress on an already stretched system.
“It’s sad when people see their only support system, sometimes, being taken away,” Azocar said. “It’s a bit inhuman when you put it those terms. These are people that are going to be impacted, their lives are going to be impacted and it’s not fair.”
Morgan says he’s developed a great relationship with his home care provider and doesn’t know what he’ll do if he loses her. He also worries this may be the first step in more cuts to come.
“Because we have greater needs or because we can’t contribute to society in the fullest extent as say, an able-bodied person, we don’t need as much? It just seems unfair and to some degree, it’s rather cruel.”
In Calgary, the number of home care service provider positions will be cut from 12 to six.
AHS says it will be contacting families affected by the transition immediately. Friends of Medicare will be hosting a town hall for affected clients on June 23.
With files from Jenna Bridges, Global News.
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