The role of CLSCs will be enhanced over the coming months to make them the main point of access for care and services for seniors.
The Quebec government says the initiative will be gradually implemented over the course of this year – and will be completed by fall 2025.
Adding that this will enable seniors to access all programs for themselves and their caregivers in a single location.
Whether to obtain information on community resources, have an assessment for home support – or be referred to the right place, with the right team.
The CAQ also says this will help to better identify seniors suffering from loss of autonomy, so that preventive action can be taken.
This comes in response to one of the recommendations of the Health and Welfare Commissioner, who wanted regional offices setup for seniors to access homecare support.
“CLSCs, with their presence throughout Quebec, were ideally suited to this role,” said the government in a press release.
“Over the years, the role of CLSCs has not been sufficiently valued. We want to give them back their vocation as local services, so that all information for seniors can be found in one place. Whether on the phone or in person, our staff will have everything they need to help them access services and care adapted to their needs, while working as a team with numerous partners,” said Sonia Bélanger, Minister responsible for Seniors and Minister delegate for Health. “A health and social services network on a human scale means not having to knock on so many doors to get answers. I’m very proud to be doing this for Quebec’s seniors – they deserve it!”