WITH THE PEACE OF MIND OF CONNECTCARE

For over 27 years ConnectCare has provided help at the press of a button to those in the community who want to live independently while having the peace of mind of knowing that they can get help when they need it.

Today ConnectCare has grown to serve most of Southwestern Ontario, with over 2700 subscribers including seniors, those living with a disability, and individuals who simply want to feel safe when they are alone. With ConnectCare subscribers get help whenever they need it from a responder such as a family member, friend, or neighbor, or from emergency services by simply pressing a button they are wearing.

A non-profit outreach service of St. Joseph’s Health Care London based at Parkwood Hospital, ConnectCare relies heavily on a group of dedicated volunteers to perform installations, handle servicing of equipment and assist in day–to-day office operations. These volunteers allow the program to keep the ConnectCare cost affordable and as volunteers, the installers can take extra time during an installation to ensure subscribers understand and are comfortable with the equipment.

With the program continuing to expand, ConnectCare partnered with Philips Lifeline in 2012, enabling the program to offer state of the art equipment such as the Auto Alert, which is a help button with fall detection capabilities, and room for future expansion.

To collect feedback on the quality and the effectiveness of the service, ConnectCare recently conducted a survey of their subscribers. The results were astoundingly positive, with 96 per cent of respondents saying ConnectCare respects their independence and provides products that are easy for them to use. Over 95 percent said ConnectCare gives them peace of mind and 98 percent said that they would refer a friend or family member to the service. “We were overwhelmed with the number of responses and are thankful that so many of our subscribers took the time to provide feedback. It really shows their level of engagement with the service,” said ConnectCare Coordinator Kerrie Dewachter. “It was reassuring and rewarding to see we are fulfilling our promise of peace of mind to subscribers and their families.”

For many in the community, ConnectCare means independence. With different service options, low costs, and strong volunteer support, this hospital-owned and operated program is flourishing. ConnectCare staff and volunteers are committed to helping maintain independence and providing peace of mind with a personal touch to subscribers and their families.

For more information visit St. Joseph’s Health Care