Integrated Services for Seniors & Veterans Project

Project Aims for Improved Service Through Partnering and Information Sharing

Background/Objective

Seniors are one of the fastest growing population groups in Canada, with numbers growing twice as fast as the overall population. As a result of this significant increase in the number of seniors, easy access to health information, assessment and services has become increasingly critical to maintaining good health. For some seniors/veterans, declining mobility, financial challenges, the loss of the spouse or lack of family support makes access to health and social programs even more important.

Veterans Affairs Canada, the Prince Edward Island Department of Health and Social Services, Queens Health Region Board, the City of Charlottetown and Human Resources Development Canada are partnering to explore ways to improve access to health and home care programs and services for veterans and seniors.

Through the Integrated Services for Seniors and Veterans Project (ISSVP), the partners have been sharing information about their respective assessment and referral methods to identify ways they can work together to make it easier for seniors, veterans and their families to access information and services, no matter which organization provides the service. The pilot promoted a client-centered approach which organized service delivery around the needs of citizens rather than around the administration of governments.

Project Objectives:

• Provide improved, simplified and convenient access to services;
• increase shared services between all partners;
• establish co-ordinated access and assessment; and
• eliminate duplication and overlap.

Funding

Various funding sources have been utilized throughout the ISSV project. It was originally funded by the Knowledge Economy Partnership and later received funding from the federal government's Service Canada Initiative, with significant contributions from all partners. Service Canada is a federal government-wide initiative aimed at improving access to a wide range of government programs and services. Subsequent phases of the pilot have had 50/50 cost-sharing by Veterans Affairs Canada and the Department of Health and Social Services.

Project Status

The Integrated Services for Seniors/Veterans Project (ISSVP) have examined the activities of partner organizations with the goal of delivering better targeted, more streamlined services to seniors and veterans residing in the Queens Health Region in a responsive, convenient and cost-effective manner. Partners met to share information on their practices and procedures including screening, assessment, and service delivery.

Since the project began in October 1999, a number of activities have taken place including: defining the target population; creating demographic profiles; literature review; developing an inventory of services and programs for seniors and veterans; hosting information sessions and workshops for staff, reviewing screening and assessment tools; establishing a process and holding training workshops for "Collaborative Case Management"; developing a "Practical Guide to Intergovernmental Partnerships"; implementing mechanisms for identifying common clients; and Team-building.

The project is currently maintaining and enhancing collaborative case management practices; exploring further opportunities for further collaboration within other health regions and the health care system; continuing to identify other access to information and privacy issues and exploring opportunities for enhanced sharing of information through technology and common assessment tools.

Summary

With a better understanding of the complexities around integrated service delivery, a high degree of interest and momentum has been generated within the partnering organizations to further develop our collaborations and implement common access, common client screening and assessment approaches, and advance the technological linkages.

All partners will continue to work together over the coming months to strengthen new relationships, increase information sharing, and explore further opportunities for continuing progress. Through this on-going work, P.E.I.'s seniors and veterans - and the staff who care for them - can expect a better coordinated approach to service.