Extra-Mural Care in Ontario

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Andrew - 23 Feb 2005 05:51 GMT

A friend of mine's father has lung cancer with mets to the liver. In
New Brunswick I was able to to get extra-mural care for my father which
was provided by the health care system. They were extremely helpful
and informative. I did some research looking for the same help in
Ontario for my friends father, but it appears that it's not available.

Is anyone familiar with programs that provide care in the home such as
having nurses come every couple of days who can help regulate pain meds
and and other symptoms that come up?

BTW, hope all of your are doing well. My MIL will go in to get her
thyroid removed in about 4-5 months after she recovers from the first
operation. They are predicting that the thyroid cancer will be dealt
with after that - which is awesome.

My SIL got some good news, the cancer in her lungs has disappeared, and
the cancer in her liver has shrunk dramatically with the chemo. The
bad news is that the bone cancer (which is the primary) has gotten a
bit worse. She has been doing great with the chemo. When she had
breast cancer 6 years ago she had a rough time, however the chemo has
not been making her that ill this time.

Thanks,
Andrew

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J - 23 Feb 2005 06:48 GMT

> A friend of mine's father has lung cancer with mets to the liver. In
> New Brunswick I was able to to get extra-mural care for my father which
[quoted text clipped - 17 lines]
> breast cancer 6 years ago she had a rough time, however the chemo has
> not been making her that ill this time.

Hello Andrew,
I see you're keeping busy. I wasn't aware that your MIL had some other
surgery.

Here's a good summary of what is (and isn't) bone cancer
http://www.medicinenet.com/bone_cancer/article.htm
Perhaps you would clarify which type, for future purposes.

As to home care, try the Branch Locations at http://www.von.ca/
If that's not available where the friend's father is located, sometimes in
the phone book there's a "health unit", often listed under XXXX Health Unit
(XXX being the city or municipality name).
If that doesn't work, I'd have to have the specific city/municipality and
could perhaps find help for them.
But I'm hoping that VON will be at the ready for his needs.
Hope this helps,
Keep in touch,
J

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orping@sympatico.ca - 24 Feb 2005 03:30 GMT

>A friend of mine's father has lung cancer with mets to the liver. In
>New Brunswick I was able to to get extra-mural care for my father which
>was provided by the health care system. They were extremely helpful
>and informative. I did some research looking for the same help in
>Ontario for my friends father, but it appears that it's not available.

That is not a Provincial, but a Municipal matter.
I assume (!) you are referring to government assisted (Ohip paid) home
care.
If that is the case, the family physician of the patient must initiate
it with the local health care unit.
In assisted Ontario Home Care is a Municipal rather than Provincial
matter.
Until 5-6 years ago the Canadian Red Cross was the exclusive provider
in Metro Toronto. The had lost their contract and it did not get
renewed so they let all their Personal Support Workers go.

If your friends father lives outside of Toronto start by asking at the
local Red Cross branch. If they do not do it, they may know who does.
Orping

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Andrew - 24 Feb 2005 05:14 GMT

Politically speaking, this does not seem like it should be a Municipal
matter at all to me. Gee a couple of months ago I was thinking that NB
health care was a real problem, but in this case it would appear they are
miles ahead in this area. Extra-mural care has the potential to save the
public health care system lots of money in my uneducated and newly developed
opinion. It surprises me that Ontario has a different opinion on this,
however I admit I am not the expert on this - yet :)

Thanks,
Andrew

> >A friend of mine's father has lung cancer with mets to the liver. In
> >New Brunswick I was able to to get extra-mural care for my father which
[quoted text clipped - 16 lines]
> local Red Cross branch. If they do not do it, they may know who does.
> Orping

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J - 24 Feb 2005 20:04 GMT

> Politically speaking, this does not seem like it should be a Municipal
> matter at all to me. Gee a couple of months ago I was thinking that NB
> health care was a real problem, but in this case it would appear they are
> miles ahead in this area. Extra-mural care has the potential to save the
> public health care system lots of money in my uneducated and newly developed
> opinion.

Not really.
A month or so ago, 5th estate or W5 showed persons dying (from cancer or other)
being left in corridors of hospitals.
Not enough beds. (smaller cities apparently). It's outrageous, so I hope you
find the right resource Andrew.

> It surprises me that Ontario has a different opinion on this,

Government's opinion and the taxpayers opinion seems to differ....

> however I admit I am not the expert on this - yet :)

I expect.
I went to Ontario Home Care web page http://www.oaccac.on.ca/index.php which
says
Currently home care programs across Canada are tasked with trying to stretch
limited health care resources to provide both health and social support services
to clients in need of assistance to remain at home.

In Ontario, publicly funded Home Care services are coordinated by Community Care
Access Centres (CCACs) which are publicly funded agencies that provide
information about care options. The CCACs were established by the Ministry of
Health and Long-Term Care in 1996. There are 43 CCACs throughout Ontario.

So I went to the CCAC website http://www.homecareontario.ca/about/primer.htm and
picked Sarnia (just as an example) which says:
Example: Sarnia
Sarnia-Lambton Community Care Access Centre
(519) 337-1000
1-800-265-1445
Aboriginal Health Centres:
EMino Bmaad-Zijig Gamig Health Centre,
Aamjiwnaang First Nation (519) 332-6770
Kettle & Stony Point Health Centre (519) 786-5647
Walpole Island Health Centre (519) 627-0765
Bayshore Healthcare (519) 383-6979
Comcare 1-877-436-0555
Community Occupational (519) 869-2609
Therapy Services
Canadian Red Cross (519) 332-6561
Lambton Elderly Outreach (519) 845-1353
Senior VIP (519) 332-2814
Veterans Affairs Canada 1-866-522-2122
VON Sarnia Lambton (519) 542-2310
VHA Home Healthcare 1-866-309-1115
Check yellow pages under Nurses or Home Health Services & Supplies for other
agencies.

So if you haven't an answer yet, go to that CCAC webpage, select the region the
patient is in (because each may be different), then print up the resources
available.
and/or maybe his doctor will know.
J

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orping@sympatico.ca - 25 Feb 2005 02:12 GMT

>Politically speaking, this does not seem like it should be a Municipal
>matter at all to me.
>>
>> That is not a Provincial, but a Municipal matter.
>> I assume (!) you are referring to government assisted (Ohip paid) home
>> care.

You may not be aware that OHIP is the Ontario health insurance that
pays for the plan.

I don't know about politically speaking, but practically speaking it
does make much more sense to me that the local health unit in Kenora
decides how the government money is spent there rather than a
politician in Toronto 1,100 miles away.

I think J did a yeoperson's job in providing you with details.
Just get going it.
Orping

>> If that is the case, the family physician of the patient must initiate
>> it with the local health care unit.
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
>> local Red Cross branch. If they do not do it, they may know who does.
>> Orping

May I respectfully suggest you read my post over again and not jump to
conclusions.

If you learn to bottom post you will actually see to what you are
replying.
Orping.

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