New Home Lift Program Improves Safety for Home-Care Providers

Healthcare workers will be able to deliver care to people in their homes more safely through a new program that provides access to mechanical lifts.

The devices are used to lift, transfer and position someone who is unable to do so independently. Home lifts help reduce strains and other injuries for home-care workers caring for people with limited mobility. The use of lifts will also help some people stay in their homes longer.

“Nova Scotians want to live in their homes for as long as they can, but we know home care can present unique challenges for healthcare providers,” said Barbara Adams, Minister of Seniors and Long-Term Care. “We want to provide the right tools for our workforce to help them safely provide care in both long-term care and in a person’s home.”

The Home Lift program is free and available to eligible recipients of home-care services from a provincially funded agency who have been assessed by an occupational therapist or physiotherapist as needing a mechanical lift. It provides a floor or free-standing lift and a sling.

The program opens on Monday, October 31. Individuals or their caregivers are encouraged to contact their Nova Scotia Health Authority care co-ordinator for more information.

Quotes:

“Across Nova Scotia, our team already provides hospital-style beds for thousands of people each year who are recovering at home from surgery, illness or injury, or are receiving palliative care. In many cases, adding a lift device will ensure greater comfort to patients and less risk of injury to them and their caregivers, so we’re pleased to play this role in further enhancing the safety, comfort and quality of life for Nova Scotians receiving at-home care.”

– Christina Baert-Wilson, Senior Director of Community Health, Atlantic, Canadian Red Cross

“Having mechanical lifts available for our staff use has prevented countless injuries while providing safe transfers for our clients, enabling them to remain at home for as long as possible.”

– Dianne Hankinson, Team Lead Nurse Supervisor, Digby/Clare Home Support Agency

Quick Facts:

• the $650,000 Home Lift program is part of a $3-million investment to fund workplace safety initiatives in continuing care
• limited access or no access to lifts has been identified as a contributing factor to workplace injuries in home care
• the Home Lift program will be administered through the Canadian Red Cross and the Nova Scotia Health Authority

Additional Resources:

Financial assistance and grant programs for homeowners: https://housing.novascotia.ca/programs/financial-assistance-and-grant-programs-homeowners

Action for Health, a strategic plan to address recent and long-standing problems in acute and primary care, long-term care, addictions and mental health: https://novascotia.ca/actionforhealth/

Mandate letter of the Minister of Seniors and Long-Term Care: https://novascotia.ca/exec_council/letters-2021/ministerial-mandate-letter-2021-SLTC.pdf