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, Nlaka91裸聊视频檖amux, Secwepemc, St91裸聊视频櫭91裸聊视频檌mc, Syilx and Tsilhqot91裸聊视频檌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 FNHA91裸聊视频檚 contribution will commence in 2018-19.
91裸聊视频淎s 7 Nations of the Interior we sat together to determine how the funding could have the most significant impact across our region,91裸聊视频� said Ko91裸聊视频檞aintco Michel, co-chair of the Partnership Accord Leadership Table. 91裸聊视频淲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.
91裸聊视频淲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.91裸聊视频�
The investment decision was also driven by data from the First Nations Health Authority91裸聊视频擨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 person91裸聊视频檚 care journey may be missed because of inaccessible or unavailable primary health care services.
91裸聊视频漈here continues to be barriers that challenge the delivery of health-care services to First Nations,91裸聊视频� said Brad Anderson, Interior Health91裸聊视频檚 corporate director aboriginal health. 91裸聊视频淭his partnership ensures care is being provided in the community91裸聊视频攃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.91裸聊视频�
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 IH91裸聊视频檚 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.
91裸聊视频淎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,91裸聊视频� said Lisa Montgomery-Reid, FNHA Interior regional director.
91裸聊视频淣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.91裸聊视频�
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