Northern Health will be gathering information on residential care in the Bulkley Valley.
Communications Officer Eyrn Collins says the bed modelling will help with decision making and planning. She says the aim is to also make the best use of residential care beds to help reduce wait times.
“And to also better support seniors to remain in their homes longer. So whether that’s through alternative care options such as community housing options or community-based support programs,” says Collins.
She says the approach involves gathering information on resources like care from home support, assisted living and residential care.
An average of six people waited for residential care in the Bulkley Valley District Hospital in the last fiscal year.
That’s up from an average of four the previous year that took up a hospital bed while waiting for a placement at the Bulkley Lodge in Smithers.
Meanwhile, the average wait time for those in hospital has been 5 to 6 months over the last 4 years in Smithers.
Collins says those waiting with complex care needs differ in their situation.
“So they may have had an accident or injury or a medical condition that they have been unable to recover from and aren’t able to return to their previous environment,” says Collins.
The modelling could start as soon as the fall, according to Director with the Northwest Hospital District Board Taylor Bachrach.