Last week, the Toronto Star launched Begging for Care, an investigative series looking at how the province is dividing up the $1.1 billion allocated for its “Aging at Home” program. The Star highlighted some of the difficult experiences Ontario seniors faced when laying in limbo in an acute care hospital bed, while on the wait list for a long-term care home. Others desperately needed home care services to continue living in their own homes or to support family members who were caring for them.

The state of health care is coming around full circle. Health care professionals and politicians alike are starting to listen and call for change. For example:

• The Canadian Medical Association (CMA) has announced a town hall, Health care in Canada: Time to rebuild medicare, to be held March 1 (http://www.healthcaretransformation.ca/en/).
• Toronto MP Carolyn Bennett is also hosting a town hall, Caregivers and Homecare, 1:30 p.m., March 6, at Christ Church Deer Park, 1570 Yonge Street.
• Ontario Health Minister Deb Matthews was recently quoted by the Hamilton Spectator, saying: “Long-term-care homes are people’s homes and there should not be coercion as they move into that home.” (http://www.thespec.com/news/ontario/article/491214--province-to-hospitals-stop-threatening-1-800-fees).

People are aware and ready for solutions, which is reflected in the online posts and comments about the Star’s Begging for Care series (http://www.thestar.com/news/article/941693). Many are frustrated, scared and want answers. We have personal observations, experiences and opinions, and are not afraid to share them.

In my opinion, the challenges people face is the cosmic complexity of trying to navigate the health care system. Patients are falling through the cracks, lying in hospital beds and struggling alone in their homes with little or no help, resources or alternatives. Our health care system is hugely disconnected. There are three silos – acute care (hospitals), primary care (doctors) and community care (home care) – that need to start working in tandem and better understanding how their own goals and actions affect each other and their patients.

In my role as a care advisor I’m presented with many situations and one that comes to mind is how well we (public and private organizations) can sometimes work together to find the best care for someone. One of my first advisory clients told me she just couldn’t do it alone anymore. Both her parents wanted to stay in their home but needed help. Her father had physical deficits and her mother early dementia. They made a great team until one of them ended up in hospital and could no longer live independently or safely at home. My role was to help them navigate the health system and facilitate care arrangements … to help them solve the health care puzzle.

Some of the important pieces in this puzzle are:

• Learning about your community health resources – both public and private.

• Getting in touch with your government care program to find out what’s available.

• Investigating volunteer and non-profit organizations in your community that provide support services.

• Being proactive about managing your health (e.g., monitor your own blood pressure) and communicating the results back to your health care professionals.

• Looking into online health information resources and services:

1. The Patients' Association of Canada (http://patientsassociation.ca/)
2. Your provincial health ministry (http://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/)
3. Community directories such as Find Help 4 Seniors (http://www.findhelp4seniors.ca/)
4. Or pick up the phone and call me at 416-992-4280 or email me at jhickey@bayshore.ca

The time is now. We need collaborative change. $1.1 billion is a fair chunk of dough, in the case of Ontario. We need to spend it wisely, be patient-focused and monitor patient outcomes as well as the impact we have on each other’s services. This will enable us to provide one health care service – our health care service.