Home care is not intended to 'do everything for people': WRHA

The last thing the home care system should encourage is dependency, aWinnipeg Regional Health Authority official told the CBC on Friday.

RalCloutier, the health authority's chief operating officer and vice-president of long-term care and community-area services, spoke about home care two days after CBC reported thatEdith Grunfeldsent two workers away because theservices theyprovidedafter she was released from hospital were so limited.

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The workers were not allowed to help her shower or remind her to take her medication, Grunfeld said.

But home care is only supposed to meet certain needs, saidRalCloutier, the health authority's chief operating officer and vice-president of long-term care and community-area services.

"The program isn't intended to do everything forpeople," he said.

"It's essentially help them if they have specific gaps in their health needs so they can stay home."

Cloutiersuggested Grunfeld'saccount is an exception to most people's experiences with the system.

"Our phones would be ringing off the hook if everyone is dissatisfied," Cloutier said.

But the complaint is important, he acknowledged.

"There's no question, at times expectations don't match up with the way we deliver services, and we have to listen to what people have to say," hesaid, adding anyone who is not satisfied with homecare services should speak up.