Debates of November 28, 2007 (day 4)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In my Member’s statement today, I spoke of the need to reprofile the senior citizens’ facility in Fort Resolution to handle extended care. I can tell you that a facility lends itself to doing this. So there is only a minimum capital cost involved, but there would also be a requirement for some dedicated nursing staff. Can the Minister of Health and Social Services inform the Assembly whether the department has considered expanding the level of services available through the Fort Resolution seniors’ facility to handle extended care patients?

Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu. The honourable Minister of Health and Social Services, Ms. Lee.

Return To Question 30-16(1): Expansion Of Seniors’ Facility In Fort Resolution

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my understanding is that there have been, for a long time, very in-depth ongoing discussions between the department and the community of Resolution with regards to the best use of this facility and that all of the assessments that have been done suggest that the facility, the way it was built -- and it was built by the NWT Housing Corporation -- wasn’t meant for extended care facility for seniors. It was meant more for seniors who were able to live more independently. To make it into an extended care unit will require very extensive renovation including renovated kitchen, access and lots of other renovations. At the moment, Mr. Speaker, my understanding is that it is not feasible to make this an extended care unit for the seniors. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Ms. Lee. Supplementary, Mr. Beaulieu.

Supplementary To Question 30-16(1): Expansion Of Seniors’ Facility In Fort Resolution

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank the Minister for that answer. I know that many elders from Fort Resolution have lived in, and are living in, extended care situations in Yellowknife, Hay River and Fort Smith. Can the Minister tell me whether the department has done any cost-benefit analysis and the feasibility of repatriating these elders to Fort Resolution and caring for them in their own home community in the seniors’ facility in Fort Resolution? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu. Ms. Lee.

Further Return To Question 30-16(1): Expansion Of Seniors’ Facility In Fort Resolution

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I do understand the desire on the part of the Member and the community to be able to provide services to the seniors in their local community as much as possible. I am committed to that. I am reviewing the programs we have to see how we can accommodate that. I have also had conversations with the chief of Deninu Kue and the Member extensively. I hope to get to the community soon and look at all options available to see how we can accommodate seniors in that community as much as possible. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Ms. Lee. Supplementary, Mr. Beaulieu.

Supplementary To Question 30-16(1): Expansion Of Seniors’ Facility In Fort Resolution

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Minister commit to providing all of the options, examination of those options on this issue, to the Legislative Assembly for the February session?

Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu. Ms. Lee.

Further Return To Question 30-16(1): Expansion Of Seniors’ Facility In Fort Resolution

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, yes, I plan on doing extensive work on that. We are planning a visit to Resolution to meet with the leadership and to review the programs that are available there. So, yes, I will work closely with the Member to see what we can do with this facility and what extended services we could provide to elders in the community. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.