I was listening to my favorite radio station and program Tuesday morning when they had a half hour on northern health. They were talking to a former MLA and cabinet minister about northern health. Very few people have a family physician. Very few people have access to hospital treatment and fewer yet to long term care.
It's similar to the situation I described about a murder that took place. People are sent south to something that is very strange. They have different food to eat. They have challenges with the language. They don't have visits from family and friends. Sometimes the visits keep people going. The people back home worry and don't get information about the patient.
In 1963 to 1966 I taught in Inuvik and we had little kids that stayed in the hostel and were 1000 miles from home.
What caught my ear on this program, is that for long term care some seniors had to be 1000 miles from home. The distance from Iqaluit to Ottawa is 1305 miles. I'd heard this number before. Right? I thought things had changed a bit.
Seniors are taken to Ottawa from Iqaluit. They are 1000 miles from home in a strange environment.
One example of a problem made me snicker. Some seniors would be given pajamas and asked to wear them. Some of these people had never ever worn pajamas. They didn't like pajamas and weren't comfortable wearing them.
Then I thought of myself. I don't wear pajamas. I dislike them. So the thought of me being given pajamas got me thinking about their problems in a very personal way.
In Australia, too, there can be vast distances involved for people to access medical care. One of the common problems is kidney disease so the travel for dialysis becomes very burdensome on top of the dialysis itself.
ReplyDeleteSomeone has developed a bus service which takes dialysis to the people but even then, it can't cover everyone.
Birthing "off country" is another situation where indigenous people really struggle away from their community supports.
I want to say that if people don't want to wear pyjamas, they shouldn't have to but I suppose the distance from family support means it's impossible to get personal items of clothing properly cared for?
I , for one, don't realize how large Australia is. Both countries have the vast distances and few people.
DeleteWow! That's unfortuate. I learned in hospice care how difficult it is to provide care in Alaska because of the miles. The government finally started allowing more telehealth visits to help. Linda in Kansas
ReplyDeleteAlaska and northern Canada have huge challenges when it comes to health services. I never needed medical treatment during the five years I was in the Arctic but my wife did.
DeleteThat just doesn't seem right, to take people so far away . How are they expected to get better when they are like a fish out of water?
ReplyDeleteIt doesn't just seem right. It's not right. After that it get complicated.
DeleteWhen my daughter taught in Afghanistan, there were young folks who came from the remote areas of the country. Some of them had never lived in a place with indoor plumbing and toilets. Once, when it got cold, they simply built a small fireplace in their room and went outside to gather wood.
ReplyDeleteThat would be a fantastic experience for your daughter.
DeleteHello,
ReplyDeleteIt is sad a person has to go 1000 miles from home to have medical treatment. Take care, enjoy your day and have a great week ahead.
I guess the people of The North never even got a say in whether or not they would be part of the strange big thing called Canada. It would have been imposed upon them. I don't wear pyjamas either and I don't even own any. If I did have some they would be in pink silk with white faux fur edging.
ReplyDeleteHa , ha. They have never agreed that they have given up their land. They may belong to Canada but only in administration.
Delete
ReplyDeleteThat's pretty funny. I wear pajamas but my husband doesn't, and he would be just the same, totally uncomfortable in them.
Funny how such a small thing is a big issue.
DeleteRed, Your anecdote about seniors being given pajamas highlights a broader issue of cultural insensitivity and lack of personalized care in healthcare settings. It's crucial for healthcare providers to recognize and respect the diverse cultural backgrounds and preferences of their patients, especially in sensitive and intimate matters like clothing choices. John
ReplyDeleteYou're absolutely right. The MM nursed in the small settlement we were in and there was no nursing station. She worked in the homes. It changed her life forever.
DeleteSurely, they can skype now. Was it mentioned? Is it provided? I know it is not the same, but it is something.
ReplyDeleteSkype is probably used but as you say it's not the same as the physical presence is what counts.
DeleteSuch a sad situation for seniors to be so far from home like that. Anyone, really!
ReplyDeleteThe cultural issues are what makes it tough. When you're old and feeble it's not fun traveling.
DeleteMust be a bit shocking when you have overnight guests!
ReplyDeleteAll I said was that I don't wear pajamas. You can let your imagination run with that one.
DeleteThat sounds really awful for the seniors. It must not be good for their mental and emotional health.
ReplyDeleteIn Ontario it said on the news there are 500,000 people without a family doctor. -Christine cmlk79.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteI don't know how the families handle it having loved ones so far from home. Here our long term care home (hoping I never go there!) is only about 6 blocks away.
ReplyDeletei can hardly imagine things can be as tough in Canada which is considered very advanced country here .
ReplyDeletei have read here and other blogs such as Nichole that how difficult it is to find doctor's appointment and wait can stretch to months .this is worrying specially during emergencies.
authorities should look into such matters more considerably and find solution for senior people who are away from home