extra support at home.
The AHS Home Care program first
assesses and then, provided it’s safe to
do so, looks after people in their homes
and communities.
From 2017 to 2018, home and
community care expenditures increased
by $134 million. This represents
20. 5 per cent of Alberta Health Services’
expenditures.
Sage Amor was just a toddler when he
was diagnosed with a brain tumour. He
and his parents faced months in hospital
for surgery and chemotherapy.
Instead, the new Hospital at Home
program at Alberta Children’s Hospital
in Calgary allowed Sage to get treatment
at home.
“This program has had a huge impact
on our lives and the ability to lead a
more regular life,” says Hilary Daum,
Sage’s mother. “It’s comforting to have
Sage sit on my lap and be surrounded by
all his toys while he’s getting treatment.”
When Jaye Fredrickson was diagnosed
with ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis)
10 years ago, her family and friends
stepped up to care for her. As the disease
progressed, her care became harder.
She wasn’t so sick that she needed to
be hospitalized and she didn’t want to
move into a continuing care facility. But
Fredrickson and her family caregivers
needed help. The Alberta Health Services
Home Care program fit her needs and
she continues to live at home with her
husband and son.
“We could not have managed without
home care, and we understand how
much this care has improved the quality
of our lives as a family living with a life-changing disease,” Fredrickson says.
Those whose family cannot provide
support in a home setting are typically
admitted to hospital. Fredrickson was
able to avoid hospitalization with some
43 applemag.ca FALL 2018
Established in 2012, the Hospital at Home
program is the first of its kind in Canada for
hematology, oncology, and blood and marrow
transplant care. About 15 per cent of such
patients at the Alberta Children’s Hospital are
now treated through the program.
Oncology nurses have made some 3,000
home visits since the program started, caring
for kids from birth to 17 years old.
The program lets families keep a more
regular schedule and reduces time away from
work, school––and life.
“I can’t express the impact this program
has had on our entire family, and especially
on Sage,” Daum says. “Being so young,
having the least amount of stress possible by
not having to go to the hospital is huge.” |a
