Posts Tagged ‘Health’

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Food banks don’t reduce food insecurity, so why did the federal government give them $200 million in emergency aid?

Wednesday, January 27th, 2021

… the emergency food sector… “started quite innocently and very thoughtfully and from a very caring and compassionate place, but … it has zero impact on the overall problem.” … their respective annual reports repeatedly call for policy changesto reduce poverty, from raising social assistance rates to implementing universal child care… While food charities can play a meaningful role in building community… it’s more important than ever to be clear that they’re not the answer.

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‘Total rethink’ of long-term-care home design needed in the wake of COVID-19, experts urge

Monday, January 18th, 2021

… alternatives that don’t involve retrofits or new buildings also need to be explored… “Money can go to home health care … and with telemedicine, more and more people can be safely and appropriately supported at home… “much less expensive options like assisted living, or independent living with some support services. They are cheaper, yet not generally supported with public funds. “It’s finding the right mix of options, most of which are less expensive than well-done, skilled nursing facilities”

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Bare-knuckle capitalism has no place in nursing homes

Thursday, January 14th, 2021

Over the past decade, Chartwell has distributed $798 million to shareholders and paid its executives $47.3 million, including an annual salary of $229,500 for the former premier’s part-time chairmanship, which he still holds. Mike Harris’ involvement in the dubious rise of privatization — and financialization — in the long-term care industry makes it all the more outrageous that the Ford government recently awarded him the Order of Ontario, even as the pandemic continues…

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Doug Ford doesn’t believe in government — and that explains a lot

Thursday, January 14th, 2021

… the premier has been trying to bargain with the COVID-19 virus from day one. Do we really need more staff in long-term care? Do we really need to legislate paid sick days so contagious workers can stay home? Do we really need smaller class sizes so students and educators are safer? The answer to these questions is yes, but Ford hasn’t used the full legislative and financial powers of government to fight the virus. At every turn, he’s held back, seemingly always hoping for a better, cheaper deal… In other areas, the government has acted without hesitation…

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CERB controversy should spur basic income development

Tuesday, January 12th, 2021

Political leaders have the opportunity of a lifetime in 2021, and Canada has the brains, capacity, and experience it takes, to create a legacy of income security for all that is comparable to universal health care. Basic income will get us a faster, more inclusive recovery and lasting progress toward a healthier, happier society for everyone.

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It’s time to rethink long-term care for seniors

Monday, January 11th, 2021

To change the status quo requires a reimagined vision transforming “long-term care” into “networks of caring” that support seniors in living meaningful lives… the following ingredients are essential… Maximize each person’s capacities and compensate for deficits, fostering a sense of success and self-respect… emphasize flexible resources tailored for the person… help individuals and small groups develop supports for their LTC needs where they already live… if congregate LTC-type housing is needed, small and dispersed is good.

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A blueprint for action on long-term care

Monday, January 11th, 2021

… commit to vaccinating all long-term-care residents, staff and caregivers by Feb. 15… Ontario and Ottawa each to provide $100 million in emergency funds to hire additional long-term care staff and increase their wages… mandatory weekly inspections of long-term-care facilities and a rapid response task force of specialized health-care workers to respond to emergencies in homes… [and] dedicated provincial and federal ombuds to review all complaints from residents, their families and staff and to oversee strict new long-term-care standards that will ensure humane care for residents.

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How a Basic Income Plan Could Save Lives in a Pandemic

Monday, January 11th, 2021

“Basic income doesn’t require empathy so much as recognition that we’re all interdependent.” “It matters what my neighbours are doing and what they can afford to do,” said Forget. “In some ways that’s very obvious when we talk about health. But somehow we don’t think that’s the case when we talk about economics.” … “it’s inevitable that we will end in a basic income in Canada.”

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2020 brought ugly truths about inequity to the forefront — like how Ontario’s Medical Association still upholds structural racism

Saturday, January 9th, 2021

… patients who must engage in such unequal bargaining with their physicians… are disproportionately BIPOC [Black, Indigenous and other People of Colour] including immigrants and refugees, who are massively overrepresented in the lower income classes. The OMA’s billing guide is a classic example of structural racism precisely because its effects are felt most by BIPOC communities.

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Shining a light on the future of seniors’ care

Thursday, January 7th, 2021

… we propose a proactive, co-ordinated, and holistic model that considers the health-care needs of Canada’s rapidly aging population in tandem with seniors’ housing, lifestyle, and social needs… The predominant policy of meeting the needs of seniors continues to be to “warehouse” them in long-term care (LTC) homes… Not only are LTC-homes expensive for the health-care system, many seniors do not want to live there; they want to “age in place” by continuing to exercise their independence by living in the community they love.

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