Interior Health (IH) and the First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) announced a shared investment of $3 million to bring elder care closer to home.
IH will contribute $2 million on an ongoing annual basis for a nursing enhancement to support First Nations elders and those living with chronic conditions.
The FNHA will contribute $1 million to support communities in preparedness. Together, this joint investment will benefit approximately 4,450 elders across the Interior region.
A shared decision-making process driven by the seven Interior Nations of D茫kelh Den茅, Ktunaxa, Nlaka害羞草研究所檖amux, Secwepemc, St害羞草研究所櫭害羞草研究所檌mc, Syilx and Tsilhqot害羞草研究所檌n resulted in a cooperative rather than competitive approach in planning for the investment.
The long-term ongoing investment will commence in 2019-20 and result in $10 million over the next five years directed towards First Nations elders care in the Interior region. The FNHA害羞草研究所檚 contribution will commence in 2018-19.
害羞草研究所淎s 7 Nations of the Interior we sat together to determine how the funding could have the most significant impact across our region,害羞草研究所� said Ko害羞草研究所檞aintco Michel, co-chair of the Partnership Accord Leadership Table. 害羞草研究所淲e agreed that no community should be left behind, and that increasing access to primary health care services closer to home was the area of greatest need.
害羞草研究所淲e appreciate Interior Health showing leadership in their flexibility in allowing us to define how best to meet the need in our communities by following a decision-making process that works for our Interior Nations.害羞草研究所�
The investment decision was also driven by data from the First Nations Health Authority害羞草研究所擨nterior Health Authority Expenditure Project. The analysis of this data showed that in comparison to other residents in 2013-14, First Nations elders were less likely to visit physicians, had higher prevalence rates for many chronic conditions, and were more likely to visit the emergency department.
These results, and others, suggest that key early intervention points in a person害羞草研究所檚 care journey may be missed because of inaccessible or unavailable primary health care services.
害羞草研究所漈here continues to be barriers that challenge the delivery of health-care services to First Nations,害羞草研究所� said Brad Anderson, Interior Health害羞草研究所檚 corporate director aboriginal health. 害羞草研究所淭his partnership ensures care is being provided in the community害羞草研究所攃ollaboratively and in a culturally safe way, where First Nations elders live, so they can be partners in their own care along with their family and an interdisciplinary care team.害羞草研究所�
This nursing enhancement will improve access to culturally safe, holistic and quality healthcare services for elders living in community, including those living with chronic conditions.
The investment is also aligned with IH害羞草研究所檚 shifting focus on the development of community resources to support individuals in remaining in their homes longer, and renewed systems of care to improve access and service quality across rural and remote communities for cultural safety.
害羞草研究所淎s elder care has long been identified as a priority for Interior Nations, we commend the leadership of (IH) CEO Chris Mazurkewich and his team. This investment complements and adds value to the existing Nation-Based health care delivery models,害羞草研究所� said Lisa Montgomery-Reid, FNHA Interior regional director.
害羞草研究所淣ew and enhanced nursing roles will work with a broader scope of practice and collaborate with the elder, their family, and an interdisciplinary care team to develop individualized wellness plans.害羞草研究所�
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