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Health and Safety – 2025-01

Submitted by Georgia Blondon

Ottawa Health Team January focus groups

  • Georgia will be attending a virtual meeting sponsored by Ottawa Health Team on January 17.
  • The focus is for older adults & caregivers with varying levels of frailty & experience in navigating the health care system.
  • Read the information letter for more details on these focus groups and the proposed indicators that will be discussed.

CBC report on accessibility for Ontarians

  • This year, CBC reported that Ontario is still not up-to-date with accessibility needs of Ontarians as outlined in the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA).
  • CBC also reports there is more implementation that needs to take place in order to improve accessibility, since the AODA was adopted in 2005.  
  • What Georgia particularly noted in our community, recovering  from an injury this past year, was the lack of handrails & ramps going into stores/restaurants that have steps. Door  accessibility buttons not working in some offices/stores because the landlord has not repaired them, and snow piled up onto the sidewalk curbs which make them very difficult to step over.

Seniors Health Innovation Hub proposal

  • Seniors Health Innovation Hub (SHIH) January update indicates very positive growth. They are considering incorporating.
  • In June, Margaret Tansey, retired healthcare executive & Professor at University of Ottawa,  became the chair of the SHIH steering committee.  Highlights from the SHIH report:
    • There are now approximately 10,000 unattached seniors in the Ottawa Health Team boundaries—an alarming increase from 7,700 when we began.
    • Losing primary care at this stage can lead to a crisis for older adults, making this issue our primary focus for political and public advocacy.
    • The SHIH’s proposed solution is a Geriatric-Focused Nurse Practitioner (NP) Clinic.
    • This innovative model responds to the need for geriatric-informed seniors care within Ontario’s universal healthcare system, pushing against the trend to privatized care.
    • The clinic will be supported by Perley Health and Centretown Community Health Centre.

SHIH Proposal Overview

The team proposes leasing land behind the RA Centre in Confederation Heights from federal authorities to build a model community.

The Vision

The Village would be a nonprofit “campus” combining affordable and market housing for seniors, students, and individuals with disabilities. It would foster a vibrant, intergenerational atmosphere and include housing options, recreation facilities, and community health and social care.

Preliminary Components

  • Housing Cooperative: Affordable rental options with life-lease or ownership through cooperative shares.
  • Non-Profit Rental Housing: A mix of market-priced and reduced-rent units.
  • Co-Living Opportunities: Shared housing for seniors and students.
  • Supportive Retirement Residences: Small-scale homes for independent or assisted living, including accommodations for individuals with disabilities or early-stage dementia.
  • Village Square: Social hubs with intergenerational cafeterias, health services, and easy access to shopping, transportation, and universities.

Benefits

  • Creates opportunities for research and training in social work, nursing, and seniors’ technology.
  • Boosts local businesses and job creation, especially for disadvantaged groups.
  • Provides diverse social supports, fostering independence for seniors.
  • Frees up family homes in urban areas as seniors downsize, easing housing market pressures.