F O C U S. Provinces, Territories Establish Expert Advisory Group On Physician-Assisted Dying

Transcription

1 F O C U S Issue #203 Feeding Our Curiosity, Uncovering Strengths August 17th, 2015 Provinces, Territories Establish Expert Advisory Group On Physician-Assisted Dying Ontario Leading Provincial-Territorial Co-Ordination to Seek Advice from Experts Ontario, in collaboration with participating provinces and territories, is establishing an expert advisory group on physician-assisted dying, with a focus on the needs of patients and their families. In February 2015, the Supreme Court of Canada struck down the federal law prohibiting physician-assisted dying. The federal government has since established an external panel to inform its legislative response to the Supreme Court s decision. To complement the work of the federal panel, 11 provinces and territories are establishing an expert advisory group on physician-assisted dying which will be led by Ontario. As provinces and territories have the primary responsibility to provide health care, including regulating physicians and health care facilities, they will consider whether regulatory or other changes are needed over the coming months in response to the Supreme Court s decision. The advisory group will provide advice on the development of policies, practices and safeguards for provinces and territories to consider when physician-assisted dying is legal within their respective jurisdictions. The advisory group will be co-chaired by Dr. Jennifer Gibson, Director of the University of Toronto Joint Centre for Bioethics, and Maureen Taylor, medical journalist and physician assistant in infectious disease. In formulating its advice, this group will consult organizations and others with relevant expertise from participating provinces and territories. Independent of the provincial-territorial expert advisory group, the Ontario government is also inviting Ontarians to share their views on physician-assisted dying and end-of-life care through in-person consultations and an online survey. Ontarians can provide their input on key issues including safeguards to protect vulnerable people, the impact on families and caregivers, and the role of health care providers in the provision of physician-assisted dying. The Supreme Court of Canada suspended its ruling for 12 months. Federal, provincial and territorial governments have until February 2016 to implement responses in advance of the Supreme Court decision on physician-assisted dying taking effect. Online survey linked here. 174 Oliver Road, PO Box 1087, Campbellford, ON or If you wish to be removed from the distribution list at anytime, simply send a reply to this linked .

2 CCN In the News: Want to Get Fit in Time For The Holidays? Get Registered For Wellness Programs Community Care Northumberland is launching its new exercise programs that will be operating from September until December 2015 in Brighton, Ontario. These classes were part of the new Wellness Programs that we piloted in Brighton in 2014, said Trish Baird Executive Director of Community Care Northumberland. The Brighton community has enjoyed these opportunities and they are back by popular demand. AQUAFIT Tone & Stretch in a therapeutic pool. This gentle aqua fitness class is intended for those with muscle and joint injuries or disease. This class is slower paced and will work on flexibility, mobility, coordination, and muscular endurance. GENTLEFIT This class is geared for anyone who prefers a slower paced class. This class is designed to improve muscular and cardiovascular strength and endurance at moderate intensity with low-moderate impact activities. No high-impact exercises are performed in this class making it appropriate for older adults. A combination of strength and flexibility exercises using weights, stability balls and balance exercises, with modifications given for individual fitness levels. PILATES Mat work and vertical exercises that help you gain strength, flexibility and balance. Each class is designed to focus on good form and breath pattern. Classes use props such as flexi-bands, flexi-balls and weights to enhance your mat work experience. CALLANETICS This exercise method is safe and non-impact, a balanced approach which emphasizes stretching and neuromuscular coordination while strengthening deep posture muscles. The program consists of isolating specific muscle groups and using tiny, precise (yet powerful) movements or pulses to increase strength and flexibility. The muscles lengthen and strengthen. OSTEOFIT It focuses on introducing participants to exercise through safe and simple movements to improve strength, posture, balance and agility. Participants work at their own level in each class. Exercises can be done seated and standing. Some exercises may involve the use of weights or resistance bands. The low instructor-to-participant ratio ensures each participant receives personal attention and assistance throughout the class. INDOOR WALKING CLUB Walking is a great way to keep fit & healthy, walking with a friend or a partner is a great way to stay connected. With changes in weather bringing slick, icy sidewalks, finding a new venue for walking is sometimes the only way to keep up with a fitness program. The Walking Club provides a safe and warm environment for walkers. The on-going partnership between Community Care Northumberland and East Northumberland Secondary School (Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board) provides a great solution to our challenging Canadian climate. Interested in any these classes? You must pre-register to participate and spaces are limited. Community Care Northumberland is taking registration starting: Dates: Tuesday, August 25th, 2015 and Wednesday, August 26th, 2015 Time: 10am-2pm In Person: Community Care Northumberland, 46 Prince Edward St, Unit 13, Brighton, ON By Phone: (613) By g.ellis@commcare.ca New Wellness Program Schedule Continued on page 3

3 Continued From Page 2 Wellness Programs Schedule AQUAFIT Date: Every Monday, September 28 to December 14, 2015 Time: 10:15am-11:00am Location: YMCA Quinte West, Leisure Pool - Transportation Available. Fee for classes only: $55 (11 classes) 10 maximum Fee for class and transportation: $77 (11 classes) 16 maximum GENTLEFIT Date: Every Tuesday and Thursday from September 15th /17th to December 15th /17th, 2015 (14 weeks) Time: 1:00pm-2:00pm Location: YMCA Brighton Fee: $70 (1 class/week) or $140 (2 classes/week) PILATES Date: Every Wednesday from September 16 to December 16, 2015 Time: 10:00am-11:00am Location: Community Care Northumberland Activity Room Brighton Fee: $60 (12 weeks) - 8 maximum CALLANETICS Date: Every Friday from September 18 to December 11, 2015 Time: 9:00am-10:00am Location: Community Care Northumberland Activity Room - Brighton Fee: $65 (13 weeks) 8 maximum OSTEOFIT Date: Every Wednesday from September 16 to December 16, 2015 Time: 11:15am-12:00pm Location: Community Care Northumberland Activity Room Brighton Fee: $48 (12 weeks) - 10 maximum INDOOR WALKING CLUB Date: Every Monday to Thursday from October 1, 2015 to April 28, 2016 Time: 6:00pm-8:00pm Location: ENSS Brighton Fee: $5.00

4 Volunteer Development Column Simple and Effective Personal Distress Alarm The personal distress alarm system provides support for people living alone, people who work alone, people with medical problems or anyone concerned about being alone. Community Care Northumberland proudly owns over 100 systems consisting of a wireless transmitter worn as either a pendant or a wristband along with the unit that looks similar to a large answering machine that is the home base. Home base has a large button marked EMERGENCY in red, and in Braille, that can also be activated to send a signal for immediate help. In the case of a power outage, a Wellness Programs rechargeable battery in the unit replaces electrical power. These units are available to all registered clients for a nominal installation fee that is used to subsidize future replacements and an ongoing monitoring fee. The installation of the unit is done by a CCN volunteer or staff person who ensures that the unit is properly installed and a test has been successfully completed with the monitoring station. CCN also provides ongoing support in the form of trouble shooting and replacement of batteries and pendants. We have enjoyed a six year partnership with Trent Security Systems Ltd., operating out of Peterborough, for the purchase of these systems along with monitoring and support. Recently a.p.i. Alarm, a family owned business located in Toronto, purchased Trent Security Systems and we look forward to an excellent working partnership with the merged company. The only change that a client or their emergency contacts will notice as a result of this merger will be during evening and weekend hours as a phone call from the company will show as a toll free number. Each one of our offices has been equipped with this unit as emergency protection for staff, clients and volunteers. The cost to enjoy the freedom and peace of mind that the unit brings is an affordable $15 per month monitoring fee paid directly to CCN, along with a one-time installation fee of $45. If you would like further information about this Wellness program, please call your nearest CCN office. Submitted by Sherry Gibson Volunteer Development Coordinator

5 Community Bulletin Board