Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We have about 238 adults in the Sahtu region that are 60 years and older. Some of these adults are considered elders in our communities.
Mr. Speaker, elders’ care in the Sahtu is severely lacking. Gone are the days of families taking care of their parents and grandparents on a full-time basis. Mr. Speaker, families need support to take care of their own in their own homes. However, this type of care puts a lot of pressure on families, because it speaks to the core values and beliefs of a family in our communities. It’s stressful as families have to take care of their own families, go to work, and are expected to be on call 24/7.
Today in our communities we are experiencing more and more changes that show little support to our elders, the very elders that endured extreme hardship and suffering so we can enjoy the type of life we have today. They did not give up on us, Mr. Speaker, and we should return the full payment.
Mr. Speaker, I want to remind the House that we have elders who need our care today. We have families who need our support. We have communities that want to keep their elders in their own homes.
Mr. Speaker, we need to have a special section within our health care system that meets the needs of our elders. The Foundation for Change document has several areas that should be implemented right away, Mr. Speaker. For example, having traditional foods served at Stanton Hospital, strengthening language services for our elders so that word for word is understood between the doctors and the elders are very clear; no more guessing, Mr. Speaker. More importantly, we need to examine our own beliefs and values towards taking care of our elders from a cultural perspective.
Mr. Speaker, one day, God willing, we may also take on the elders’ roles and hopefully not experience the types of issues that elders are facing today. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. The honourable Member for Frame Lake, Ms. Bisaro.
