Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Chief William Koe isn’t the only one concerned about elders in Fort McPherson; we are all worried about them. The simple fact is that Fort McPherson needs more home care workers. A single worker cares for more than 30 people. On average, that means that elders receive only four hours of care in an entire month. It’s not enough, Mr. Speaker, and as the population ages, the situation is only going to worsen.
The community really needs at least one more full-time worker with up to four home care workers available on a rotational basis.
In December 2011, at the outset of the 17th Assembly, the former Minister, Tom Beaulieu, acknowledged the need for better home care workers in the Mackenzie Delta. He specifically stated that the Beaufort-Delta authority would be looking at hiring more home care workers in Fort McPherson.
Again, on June 6, 2012, Minister Beaulieu stated that smaller communities are asking for a simpler, less expensive response than a long-term care facility. He said that the department would be increasing the number of home care workers.
Two years later, in June 2014, the current Minister of Health and Social Services tabled Our Elders, Our Communities. It’s supposed to be a blueprint for the department’s Aging in Place Action Plan, basically ensuring that elders can live in their own homes and communities for as long as possible. So far, Fort McPherson hasn’t seen any action on this action plan.
I’ll have questions for the Minister later today. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.