Grant: Operating Grant: SPOR iCT Rewarding Success - Travel Awards - BC

There is increasing concern that Canada's health systems will be unable to meet the needs of a rapidly growing older adult population. Older adults living at home with life-limiting illness and their family-caregivers often experience significant challenges that affect their ability to function, and their overall quality of life. Yet, older adults often choose to be cared for at home, with the goal of living as fully and as comfortably as possible. Unnecessary hospital admissions, use of emergency services, and transitions to residential care may be prevented if the concerns and priorities of older adults and family caregivers are addressed earlier on. Unfortunately, these concerns and priorities are easily overlooked in the "hustle and bustle" of care. Online tools for assessing quality of life assist healthcare providers to be more aware of the concerns and priorities of patients and family-caregivers. This project involves the use of an electronic Quality of life Assessment and Practice Support System (QPSS) to support comprehensive ongoing assessments and interventions that address the concerns and priorities of older adults who are living at home with life-limiting illness, and their family caregivers. The QPSS supports efficient sharing of information about quality of life concerns and priorities with family physicians and home healthcare teams. Anticipated outcomes are improved quality of life by enabling older adults and family caregivers to live comfortably at home, while also preventing unnecessary hospital admissions, use of emergency services, and transitions to residential care.