A study by University of Victoria researchers aims to help older adults and their families navigate long-term-care services more effectively while advising decision-makers on ways to improve the health system.
The project is co-funded by the Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR).
The research “will provide new information to guide policies and programs to enhance the quality of life of older adults and their families,” says Tim Uppal, minister of state (democratic reform), who announced federal funding for the project being led by researchers affiliated with the University of Victoria’s Centre on Aging.
Drs. Margaret J. Penning (Sociology), Denise Cloutier (Geography) and their team will examine how older adults transition through the long-term-care system.
“This project addresses very important contemporary healthcare issues such as how to provide services that will meet the evolving needs of aging individuals as they transition through the healthcare continuum from home to hospital or residential care,” says Dr. Penning.
“A clearer understanding of these patterns and their predictors is critical for the quality of life of older adults and their families and affects health policy decision-making at all levels,” adds Dr. Cloutier.
The project is among 27 projects recently funded through CIHR’s Partnerships for Health System Improvement program.
The program supports teams of researchers and healthcare decision-makers that work together to develop and implement solutions to health care challenges.
Projects are co-funded by partners in the public and private sectors.