Introduction Cognitive impairment is a significant public health challenge both in Canada and globally, impacting a wide range of people. This policy analysis essay will critically explore how dementia healthcare strategies, mostly based in Ontario, Canada, influence the demographics of older adults, particularly Indigenous communities. In an aging society like Canada, central challenges associated with dementia include the misallocation of healthcare funds and the insufficiency of support systems for familial caregivers. Moreover, Indigenous communities often face significant health disparities due to a range of factors, such as the impact of historical trauma. So, it is important to understand the root causes of health disparities and develop …show more content…
Description and Analysis of Dementia Polices In response to this challenge under impact of dementia, the Canadian government introduced Canada's National Dementia Strategy (CNDS) on June 17, 2019. This strategy builds upon the National Strategy for Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias Act, which was enacted in Canada in 2017 to enhance access to dementia care. To further support this initiative, the Ontario government has committed $15 million with a total investment of $35 million for 2023-24 through the Local Priorities Fund (Ontario News Release, 2024). This funding is directed towards assisting long-term care facilities in providing specialized care for residents with complex conditions, including dementia and those in need of bariatric care (Seo, 2024). Serving the Indigenous communities, the Canadian Consortium on Neurodegeneration in Aging (CCNA) encompasses experts dedicated to advancing dementia care within rural and Indigenous …show more content…
Theoretical framework: Bronfenbrenner's ecological systems Bronfenbrenner's Ecological Systems Theory provides a valuable lens for exploring how environmental and societal contexts shape the lives of Indigenous peoples, particularly in dementia care and management (Wilder and Jordan, 2010). Focusing on the microsystem, loss of cultural connection can accelerate cognitive decline and disorientation since intergenerational trauma involves the erosion of cultural identity and practices, which are vital for the social and emotional health of Indigenous peoples. Besides, Indigenous communities often rely on extended family and community networks for support (Toombs et al., 2023). However, intergenerational trauma weakens these networks, leading to disrupted family structures and relationships, impacting the traditional roles and support systems, and leaving individuals with dementia and their caregivers without the necessary emotional and practical support (Alfakhri et al., 2018). At the Exosystem level, the theory underscores the influence of Social Determinants of Health and the broader socio-political context on health
Kirmayer, Sehdev, Whitley, Dandeneau, & Isaac (2009), suggested that a culture-centered approach to resilience is better as a community process, rather than an individual struggle. In this article, the focus is on the Aboriginal people and resilience. The authors warned that resilience should not be used as an all-inclusive term to fix everything, but instead be used as a component of overall wellness in a community. A key strength of the wellness framework is that it is “culturally relative” and each person can define his or her pathway (Newman & Newman, 2012). The road to wellness and resilience is challenging due to the many factors influencing success. External influences can affect how an individual copes with certain situations and it can be detrimental if they have no external support. However, when excellent support is offered, it is more likely that an individual or community can effectively cope. Nevid & Rathus (2010) define acculturative stress as the feelings of tensions and anxiety that comes with trying to adapt to the dominant culture. This can lead to feelings of ambiguity in personal identity and can lead to further
care to the residents suffering from dementia. Banner et al (2009 as cited in Lee J.et al.2012)
In Canada, access to health care is ‘universal’ to its citizens under the Canadian Health Care Act and this system is considered to the one of the best in the world (Laurel & Richard, 2002). Access to health care is assumed on the strong social value of equality and is defined as the distribution of services to all those in need and for the common good and health of all residents (Fierlbeck, 2011). Equitable access to health care does not mean that all citizens are subjected to receive the same number of services but rather that wherever the service is provided it is based on need. Therefore, not all Canadians have equal access to health services. The Aboriginal peoples in Canada in particular are a population that is overlooked and underserved
Self-determination and the freedom to address specific mental health issues in the way communities best deem fit would be an effective step in reconciliation. However, the level of funding each community would receive might be unequal. The quality of mental health care due to the lack of national regulation could differ from community to community, depending on mental wellness knowledge and resource availability. Ethical Questions and Implications: Is it healthier for reconciliation to have Indigenous communities decide individually and independently how to approach the issue or will federally backed, formulated plans be more effective in treating mental health long term, especially because the issue is so critical and urgent? Should Indigenous communities be forced to rely on a governmental system that has broken promises and caused the intergenerational trauma that so heavily affects mental health in the same
... To provide Indigenous people with adequate health care, emphasis needs to be placed on understanding indigenous beliefs and the social detriments Indigenous communities are faced with. Applying a suitable model of health to each individual situation will provide the best outcome. This was evident in the case study discussed in the essay. Rodney’s experiences within the medical world ended with a positive and desirable result, but if the appropriate transcultural care was not given, that positive result would have created a negative outcome, which could have been detrimental to Rodney’s future health.
Health care inequities can be elucidated by the research that identifies the social, economic and political ideologies that reflect aspects of cultural safety (Crandon, 1986; O’Neil, 1989 as cited in Browne & Fiske, 2001). There are various factors that affect the mistreatment of aboriginal peoples as they access health care in local health care facilities such as hospitals and clinics. Aboriginal women face many barriers and are discriminated against as a result based on their visible minority status such as race, gender and class (Gerber, 1990; Dion Stout, 1996; Voyageur, 1996 as cited in Browne & Fiske, 2001). A study done on Aboriginal peoples in Northern B.C. showed high rates of unemployment, underemployment and dependency on social welfare monies (Browne & Fiske, 2001). This continued political economic marginalisation of aboriginal peoples widens the gap between the colonizers and the colonized. The existence of racial profiling of aboriginal peoples by “Indian status” often fuels more stigmatization of these people because other Canadians who do not see the benefits of compensations received with having this status often can be resentful in what they may perceive is another compensation to aboriginal peoples. The re...
As we learned throughout the duration of the course through lecture, readings and discussions, Indigenous Canadians are faced with many determinants of health.
One of the greatest issues that the world is currently facing right now is racism. In Canada’s society however, some of this racism affects the life of certain minority groups; the Aboriginal population. Though there is about 1% of the population of Quebec (Canada, 2010) that is Native American, the issue needs to be addressed to help further their life-span. There is not only Aboriginal people in Quebec but also throughout Canada, in total there is 11 different Aboriginal communities througho...
In order to understand the impact of colonisation on Aboriginal health; it is important to recognize their worldview or set of beliefs on health (Tilburt, 2010). They practice a “holistic” approach unlike the Western Biomedical model where health is centred on biological functioning (Lock, 2007). According to this model the essence of being healthy relies on the mental, spiritual and social well-being rather than the absence of an illness (Hampton & Toombs, 2013). It is closely linked to spiritual and environmental factors; the heart of which is country, tradition and kinship. Land is a source of identity and spirituality for indigenous people (Hampton & Toombs, 2013). Kinship manages connection to land as well as ceremonial obligations and interpersonal relationships (Hampton & Toombs, 2013). For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders a healthy person consists of physical and spiritual elements. It’s evident that colonisation eroded the structures upon which Indige...
Dementia is a pertinent public health issue in Australia. Whilst there are various types of Dementia, they all significantly impact an individual’s quality of life. The consequences of Dementia extend to carers and family and this, together with increasing prevalence, inconclusive and probable preventive measures and absence of a cure, indicates the need for further research, to enable Australia to combat the significant public health issue that is Dementia.
Dementia is common among a large population of elderly people. The disease affects not only the individual diagnosed, but also the caregivers that work towards making their life comfortable in the end. Understanding and learning about the disease is crucial in helping those that experience or live with someone who has dementia. The services and support that are currently in affect for elderly people with dementia and the caregivers is poor, and ineffective because of the lack of research and information on the topic.
Statistics Canada reports that in 2017, the predicted life expectancy for the total Canadian population is projected to be 79 years for men and 83 years for women. Among the Aboriginal Population, the Inuit have the lowest life expectancy of 64 years for men and 73 years for women. Metis and First Nations people have a life expectancy of 73-74 years for men and 78-80 years for women.( 2015-11-30) There is a five to fifteen years life expectancy difference for men and three to ten years life expectancy difference for women when comparing aboriginal and general populations. This indicates that the health of first nation’s people is well below that of the general population. The socio-economic factors of living on a reserve like poor housing,contaminated
These mental issues cause intergenerational trauma when poor households of the victims' children are being affected due to poor coping mechanisms. Considering all of this, the repetition of disconnection from society continues when trauma and the feeling of isolation causes one to confuse and lose their identity. Overall, the experiences Aboriginal children faced inevitably led to the disconnection of
Person Directed Dementia Care Assessment Tool (2006). The Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services. Retrieved [18th April 2011] from http://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/aging/Genage/Pubs/pde0084.pdf
...of Health. (2010) Dementia. The more we understand the more we can help. Crown: COI