1 / 9

Sustaining the Caregiving Cycle: First Nations People and Aging

Sustaining the Caregiving Cycle: First Nations People and Aging. AFN Presentation to the Special Senate Committee on Aging Richard Jock Chief Executive Officer May 2007. First Nations Seniors Profile. Senior First Nations population expected to double from 2001-2017 (28,200 to 59,500)

hinto
Download Presentation

Sustaining the Caregiving Cycle: First Nations People and Aging

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. Sustaining the Caregiving Cycle: First Nations People and Aging AFN Presentation to the Special Senate Committee on Aging Richard Jock Chief Executive Officer May 2007

  2. First Nations Seniors Profile • Senior First Nations population expected to double from 2001-2017 (28,200 to 59,500) • By 2010, First Nations life expectancy will increase from 59.2 to 72 years among men, and from 65.9 to 79 years among women • First Nations population is growing at a higher rate (50% is under the age of 25) • Increased demand on vital resources in First Nations communities Stats cited originate from: First Nations Regional Longitudinal Health Survey (RHS) 2002-03: Report on First Nations Seniors’ Health and Wellbeing

  3. Profile (ctd) • Over 40% of FN Seniors suffer from impacts of Residential Schools • FN Seniors are nearly twice as likely to report one or more chronic health conditions (85.2% vs. 47.8%) • Arthritis affects 45.5% of FN seniors • FN seniors have a median personal income of $12,991 and a median household income of $24,650 • Nearly 80% of FN seniors rely on income from government sources

  4. Understanding Aging • Age 55 is a more culturally appropriate definition of aging • Time for teaching the understanding of life and showing great respect for wisdom of Elders • Strong, vital role for Elders and the recognition of their intrinsic value and contribution to the well-being of their communities and the world beyond

  5. FN Wholistic Policy & Planning Model highlights key determinants of health across the lifespan A Wholistic Approach

  6. Gaps in Programs/Services • Almost half of FN seniors are in need of one or more homecare services • Only one third (34%) of those in need received care • 58% of FN seniors live in Band-owned housing and over a third report mold or mildew in their homes • Only 0.5% of FN communities have long term care facilities, forcing most FN seniors requiring care to leave their home and community

  7. Fiscal Challenges • Decade-long caps of 2-3% on INAC and Health Canada spending increases for core services in First Nations communities • Almost 20-year national moratorium on the construction and operation of personal care homes in FN communities • 1 bed per 99 individuals living in FN communities vs. 1/22 for the general Canadian population

  8. Fiscal Challenges (ctd)

  9. Key Recommendations • Remove 2-3% caps on core and health services • Support comprehensive continuing care program • Increased support for caregivers • Enhanced NIHB program, responsive to changing needs vs artificial cost containment • Adjust social security programs to address needs of low income seniors • Promote social participation/active living programs for FN seniors

More Related