Pallative Care in First Nations receiving funding support from Canada's Public Health Agency
Lakehead University press release
$100,000 Expands CERAH’s End-of-Life Care Research in 12 First Nations Communities
(June 17, 2008 – Thunder Bay, ON) Lakehead University’s Centre for Education and Research on Aging and Health (CERAH), in partnership with the Kenora Chiefs’ Advisory and the Fort Frances-based Gizhewaadiziwin Health Access Centre, has received $100,000 from the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) for a project entitled Improving End-of-Life Care for Aboriginal Elders with Cancer and other Chronic Diseases. The palliative care research project will involve 12 First Nations communities in the Treaty 3 area.
By focusing on community education and program development, and identifying the critical components needed to successfully develop end-of-life care services, the project aims to build capacity to care for people who are dying in First Nations communities. Dr. Mary Lou Kelley, CERAH Director, emphasizes that “participants – not recipients – of this project have much to teach all of us about the process of supporting local capacity-building.” Corrina Gagnon, Executive Director of the Kenora Chiefs’ Advisory adds, “The keys to the success of this project are based on dedicated and collaborative partnerships between organizations, community workers, and researchers, and maintaining strong focus on building the capacities of the First Nations involved.”
Holly Prince, CERAH’s Aboriginal Palliative Care Research Coordinator, explains “There are an increasing number of people who want to die at home, but necessary services and support networks are not available to make this wish possible. Elders at the most vulnerable time of their lives may, therefore, need to relocate to urban centers and be separated from the support of their family, friends, and community members.”
The PHAC has a distinct public health role to anticipate and respond to the health needs of Canadians by reducing the chronic disease burden. The cancer component of the program supports actions which will increase availability and accessibility to supportive social and physical environments, which could subsequently include improved community infrastructure and more effective policies and programs.
Dr. Kelley expects this project to create knowledge of national relevance to other First Nations communities that wish to develop local palliative care services while generating recommendations for both policy and program development. As a result of this project, First Nations community members who are dying will be better supported in their choice to remain in their home community.
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Media: CERAH spokesperson Dr. Mary Lou Kelley is available for media interview today. Interviews can be arranged by contacting Marita Lehtonen at 807-766-7299. For more information, please contact Heather Scott, Communications Officer, 807-343-8177, 807-472-9113, or commun@lakeheadu.ca.
About Lakehead
Lakehead is a comprehensive university with a reputation for innovative programs and cutting-edge research. With a main campus located in Thunder Bay, Ontario and a campus in Orillia, Ontario, Lakehead has over 7,500 students and 2,000 faculty and staff, and is home to the west campus of the Northern Ontario School of Medicine. In 2006, Research Infosource Inc. named Lakehead University Canada's Research University of the Year in the undergraduate category. For more information on Lakehead University, visit www.lakeheadu.ca