The following is a Letter to the Editor published in the June 8 edition of the Minden Times.

Re:Thinking community-based elder care  

To the Editor,

The pandemic has shed a spotlight on our broken long-term care system which has been a long-standing issue for more than 30 years. Trying to fix our broken LTC system is not the answer. We need a huge transformation. Recent polls done by The National Institute on Aging found that more than 95 per cent of persons want to avoid long-term institutional care. 

“Stop referring to us as a bed,” Jennifer Brown, a resident of the Toronto LTC Centre said in a recent CBC interview. “Our government needs to look at what Scandinavian countries are doing and treat people like human beings.”

The Haliburton Highlands Long-Term Care Coalition, Re:Think LTC and Those Other Movies are pleased to host three community discussions in an ‘Aging Together As Community’event.

Participants will view the inspirational Danish documentary, It Is Not Over Yet, highlighting an innovative Danish, community-based model of elder care. Based on a compassionate care approach it enables individuals with dementia to live in small home-like settings, with dignity, grace and joy. We will break into small groups to share how as a community we value aging, and brainstorm what that vision could truly look and feel like. Together we will explore the possibility of home based alternatives to institutional care that takes profits out of care, promotes assisted living and we will begin to create a plan to move forward in Haliburton County.

Discussions will take place on Wednesday, June 22 at 6 p.m. at the Lloyd Watson Community Centre in Wilberforce, Thursday, June 23 at 6 p.m., at the Minden Lions Club and Friday, June 24 at 6 p.m. at the Haliburton United Church. All are welcome! Masks are encouraged and appreciated. Refreshments will be provided. 

For more information please contact 705-457-6579, email hhltccoalition@gmail.com or visit our FB page or website: ltcneedsyou.ca

Bonnie Roe

Minden