Dr. Samir Sinha - Provincial Lead,
Ontario's Seniors Strategy
GUELPH Ontario - May 3, 2013 - Guelph Wellington Seniors Association - Seniors' healthcare is a hot topic. So hot that the provincial government hired a geriatic doctor to consult with doctors, hospitals, and the Local Health Integration Network, which oversee the funding of local healthcare, and report on his findings.
Dr. Samir Sinha is the doctor and the report which was released early in 2013 is "Living Longer, Living Well," the basis for the province's Independence, Activity and Good Health: Ontario's Action Plan for Seniors.
Further to the report is a new organizational structure called Health Links which is just coming into practice in our community.
For many of us and our families, the healthcare delivery system is a maze which is difficult to navigate. In order to understand how it all fits together, the Advocacy Committee of the Guelph Wellington Seniors Association Board has organized an educational forum with a series of speakers from different areas of the healthcare world in Guelph Wellington which will take place in June, Seniors' Month.
Seniors, caregivers for seniors, and healthcare providers (nurses, doctors, social workers, personal care workers) are invited to register to attend this free event Registration opened on April 15. You may register by telephoning the Evergreen Centre at 519-823-1291 or at www.regexpress.guelph.ca use the code 155902.
On Tuesday, June 4th., starting promptly at 9:30am and ending at noon, in the auditorium at the Evergreen Seniors Community Centre, we will hear a keynote address from Dr. Samir Sinha about the provinces' "Action Plan", followed by four panelists who will talk about:
"Care for the Frail Elderly" - Dr. George Heckman who is a practicing geriactic physician and Schlegel Research Chair in Geriactic Medicine, University of Waterloo
"The Network of Family Healthcare Practices" - Ross Kirkconnell who is the Executive Director, Guelph Family Health Team
"Deciding when Specialists are needed for Mental Healthcare" - Cathy Sturdy-Smith who is the Manager of Specialized Geriactic Service at the Canadian Canadian Mental Health Association (Trellis).
"When and How to get Services" - Tricia Murray who is Client Service Manager for Waterloo-Wellington Community Care Access Centre (CCAC)
Once we hear from these healtcare representatives, there will be a refreshment break followed by roundtable feedback sessions for the seniors and caregivers attending the forum. These will involve facilitators asking a discussion question about seniors' healthcare at each table and the discussion that follows will be recorded.
Eventually, the facilitators, who are associated with the School of Public and Health Systems, Aging Health and Wellbeing at the University of Waterloo, will report back and the Guelph Wellington Seniors Association will post their findings on our website.
It is hoped that the forum on senior's healthcare will promote further study, discussion, and research into better healthcare for seniors in Guelph-Wellington.
The event is made possible by grants from Co-operators and the School of Public and Health Systems, Aging and Health and Wellbeing at the University of Waterloo.
