An Updated Model of Care

For almost 20 years, Casey House has been at the forefront of delivering HIV/AIDS care in North America based on a Model of Collaborative Care that has been embraced around the world. From the beginning, Casey House's mission was to provide exceptional palliative and supportive care for people affected by HIV/AIDS, and a place of compassion where people received care in a home-like environment.

Today, this incurable disease is even more complex and is now managed as a long-term condition across a care continuum, which still includes palliative/end of life care. People with HIV/AIDS - men, women and children - come from every corner of the world, all walks of life, and across the social spectrum. They are living longer, raising families and leading active, productive lives. But as a result, they have complex, multi-faceted medical and emotional needs. This new reality has prompted Casey House to update its Model of Care in the context of a health care system that is in transition and the changing nature of HIV/AIDS.

As Casey House continues to adapt to meet changing client needs we feel it is timely to articulate an updated model that takes into account how our practice has changed over time and enables us to be flexible and deliver care more effectively. The updated Model of Care builds on our existing philosophy and strengths, facilitates appropriate care co-ordination via community partnerships, and is flexible and client-centred.

The generous support of Sun Life Financial Canada made the development of the updated model possible, and we are grateful for their support as we work to implement and share our vision for improved care and support with the wider HIV/AIDS community. Casey House looks forward to reporting our experiences as we implement and evaluate the updated model.