Chapter 2: How Does the System Work?

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• Steps Involved
• Get Involved!

The service delivery system is simply the link between your needs and obtaining the appropriate assistive devices.

The system is different from province to province. It's also different depending on whether or not you have financial resources at your disposal. Consult your family doctor, medical specialist, your provincial Ministry of Health, Regional Health Authority and/or Veterans Affairs Canada for specific information on the process in your region. Some provincial and territorial addresses are provided in Appendix 1 at the end of this publication.

Steps Involved

While every individual's experience with the service delivery system is unique and varies according to the province, in general there are seven steps involved:

1. Initiative
2. Assessment
3. Service planning
4. Selection
5. Funding
6. Delivery
7. Management and follow-up

The example of "Ms. Canada," below, illustrates the steps of the service delivery process.

1. Initiative

Ms. Canada can't get in or out of the bathtub by herself, and she doesn't want her family to be involved.

She visits her family doctor to express her need (i.e. Ms. Canada takes the initiative to begin the service delivery process).

While Ms. Canada took the initiative herself, your own case may be different. It might be your family, your doctor, a social worker, a physiotherapist or others who take the initiative on your behalf. You could also turn to a hospital, a local organization for seniors or even a rehabilitation clinic.

2. Assessment

The doctor, however, wasn't able to assess Ms. Canada's need but he knew where she could get help and referred her to a specialist at a local health care centre.

3. Service Planning

After Ms. Canada's needs were identified, a list of the functional requirements of the needed assistive devices was completed.

4. Selection

Knowing her needs and her requirements, the advisor was now able to select the appropriate products: grab bars to be mounted on the walls around the bathtub, and a seat to be placed in the bathtub.

Ms. Canada bought her grab bars and bath seat secondhand from an equipment vendor store.

5. Funding

Depending on the assistive device and your situation, you may be able to obtain financial assistance from your provincial or territorial government to purchase the assistive device you need. Some provinces and territories have programs available for seniors or persons with a disability to help them purchase assistive devices at a reasonable cost, or obtain them on loan.

If you're a veteran, Veterans Affairs Canada may be able to provide you with assistance.

You can also contact local chapters of service clubs or national organizations such as the Kiwanis, Rotary or Lions Club, the Royal Canadian Legion or the Canadian National Institute for the Blind to inquire about funding assistance. Your family and friends may also want to lend a hand.

Devices such as wheelchairs, walkers and reachers are available from stores that sell "medical supplies." A list of stores can be found in the yellow pages. Items such as bath seats or canes are also available at pharmacies. Consider borrowing or renting the device before buying it to make sure it suits your needs. The Canadian Red Cross provides this service in many locations across Canada.

6. Delivery

The ordered products were delivered to Ms. Canada's home, where they were installed by a technician.

7. Management and Follow-up

After a month, the professional advisor revisited Ms. Canada to see whether the assistive devices were fulfiling her needs.

Get Involved!

The service delivery system must allow you to take an active part in assessing and selecting the devices that meet your specific needs. It's important that you make your opinions clear so you get the best result for you!

 

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