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JUST
THE FACTS
Community
support services enable many seniors and people with disabilities to live
safely in their homes and remain active in their communities. From helping
with the simplest of tasks, such as dressing and bathing, grocery shopping
and meal preparation, to providing complete personal care, community support
services are crucial to the well being of thousands of Ontario residents.
Community support services do make a difference
- Clients
of community support services report a lower rate of decline in overall
health, and a higher quality of life compared to seniors and people
with disabilities who do not receive such services. (Hollander 2001)
- People
whose community support services are reduced are more likely to experience
a decline in overall health and be admitted to hospital compared to
people whose service levels remain the same. (Hollander 2001)
- People
whose community support services are cut entirely are more likely to
die than those whose service levels remain stable. (Hollander 2001)
- Investment
in community support services produces greater cost efficiencies than
investment in institutional care. (Hollander 2001)
- Appropriate
and adequately funded community support services enable many people
with disabilities to acquire and retain regular employment, helping
them continue to be contributing members of their communities.
Who
benefits from community support services?
- Today,
Canadians over 65 represent 12 percent of the population, a figure that's
expected to rise to 20 percent-or one in five-by 2021.
- More
than half of Canadians who say they need help with the activities of
daily living report they are not receiving any support at home
- Among
people with physical disabilities and sensory impairments, approximately
43 percent of respondents to a survey conducted in the Ottawa area have
an income of less that $1,200 per month. Of this group, 69 percent require
help from community support services to live independently.
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