Innovative virtual care for living well at home

Current funds raised: $1,188,431
Help us reach our goal

Through the first wave of COVID-19, Manitobans have seen communications technology used in health care like never before. While people stayed at home—and continue to exercise caution—to avoid contracting the coronavirus, doctors, nurses, and other health care providers turned to technology to stay in touch with patients.

Physicals by phone. Skin exams by Skype. Counselling by Zoom. These are the types of care we have seen through the pandemic in Manitoba and, indeed, throughout the world. And there is little doubt that the health and social care system will have to continue to use and adapt these technologies through the COVID-19 crisis and beyond. New communications, diagnostic, and telemonitoring technologies are essential and beneficial components of the new normal in health care, particularly for older Manitobans and persons of all ages living with disabilities.

Even before the coronavirus started to dominate the health headlines in early 2020, Health Sciences Centre Winnipeg and the College of Rehabilitation Sciences at the University of Manitoba started working together on an ambitious and exciting program to accelerate the use of new communications, diagnostic, and telemonitoring technologies to improve patient care, enhance patient well-being, monitor patient safety, and provide families with peace of mind as their loved ones are equipped and supported to live independently.

Technology for Assisted Living is virtual care, but a real solution for a changing health care and demographic landscape.

Your support will help Manitobans live well at home as safely as possible for as long as possible, with a sense of dignity and independence.

The Campaign in Brief

• The Health Sciences Centre Foundation and the University of Manitoba are seeking to raise $3 million to help HSC and the College of Rehabilitation Sciences to develop the Technology for Assisted Living initiative.
• The program aims to develop systems and software to help people who are elderly; recovering from illness, injury, and surgery; or who live far from HSC to live safely and independently in their own homes while receiving the medical and therapeutic support they need.
• Aside from virtual care, the program can equip homes to monitor the safety of residents; provide easy, one-touch video access to loved ones; and install smart technology so that people with cognitive challenges can use home appliances safely and with no confusion.
• There is compelling international evidence that programs like Technology for Assisted Living can shorten hospital stays, improve overall patient well-being, give families peace of mind, and create overall efficiencies in the health care system.
• Many thousands of Manitobans per year will benefit from Technology for Assisted Living.

“To me, this is even bigger than providing care for someone with physical or cognitive issues. This is about mental health, keeping families connected, and helping people feel less isolated. This is the total picture of well-being.”

-Dr. Reg Urbanowski, Dean, College of Rehabilitation Sciences; Project Lead, Technology for Assisted Living

Technology for Assisted Living allows seniors with respiratory conditions to take spirometry tests at home and send the results to their physician digitally. When it is -30 outside and the senior has mobility challenges, the ability to measure lung function at home could be life-altering. This is one powerful example of the impact your gift will have.

To learn more, please read our Case for Support.

By supporting Technology for Assisted Living, you will transform the lives of patients across Manitoba. To make a donation, fill out this online form or contact us at info@hscfoundation.mb.ca or 204-515-5612.