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Editorial
Independence an essential
component of later-life care
This week, we brought readers
a story about Dundas Manor residents who are determined to continue
doing the hobbies they love after moving into Winchester's long-term
care facility.
While the manor is, technically, an institution, various resident
volunteers do their best to assist staff members and make their
new "house" a home.
Whether they're sewing crafts or playing piano for fellow residents,
these folks have refused to let their publicly funded living
environments define them as human beings.
It cannot be easy to live, suddenly, with roommates if you've
enjoyed independence and privacy most of your life. (Actually,
with four beds to a room in some cases, the Dundas Manor sleeping
quarters bear a striking resemblance to college dorms.)
It's important for Canadians to have a frank discussion about
the emotional health of seniors who live not just in nursing
homes, but also with family members, in their own traditional
residences, or in assisted living situations or retirement homes.
Due to a demographic shift caused by the large cohort known as
Baby Boomers, there are more "seniors" (defined as
someone aged 65 plus) in Canada than ever before. The percentage
of the national population aged 65 or older has been steadily
increasing for years. According to Statistics Canada, in 2007,
4.4 million people (13 per cent of the population)_qualified
as "seniors," compared to 11 per cent in 1987 and eight
per cent in 1972.
All provincial governments must take a serious look at the structure
of their health-care facilities and strengthen partnerships with
community organizations. In rural areas, like our own here in
Eastern Ontario, we must place a priority on mobile regional
services like Meals on Wheels, operated through organizations
like the J.W. MacIntosh Seniors' Support Centre in Williamsburg
or the Nor-Dun Seniors' Support Centre in Winchester. Families
should be given a helping hand as much as possible, and our older
residents need (affordable) access to assisted living, retirement
homes, and specialized programs to ensure everyone can remain
independent and healthy for as long as possible.
Self-determined activities and independence should remain a right
of all Canadians for the duration of their adult lives. The public
sector has a major role to play in reaching this goal. An emphasis
on emotional health must be prioritized before nursing home residency
even becomes an option for any Canadian and should continue
long afterwards, too.
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