Towards a Healthier Community at Shoal Lake: Assessing Community Health Needs at Iskatewizaagegan #39 Independent First Nation Shirley Thompson & Christa Foley Natural Resources Institute, University of Manitoba Shauna Mandamin Laverna Greene,Iskatewizaagegan #39 Independent First Nation Health Center Background and Objectives: As a First Nation we can become a stronger and healthier community by working together. To assess community health needs a survey was designed to collect community opinions on: 1) health status; 2) home care; 3) housing; and 4) health programming. By determining the needs of the community we can better meet those needs and improve services. Method: A survey with 33 questions was distributed to all households in Iskatewizaagegan #39 Independent First Nation and collected by Sarah L. Mandamin in Analysis of results was done with Statistical Products and Service Solutions version Survey Findings: More than one-fifth of all band members of Iskatewizaagegan Independent First Nation (IIFN) or 66 members completed a survey. This response rate was approximately one per family on the reserve, with many band members being children. The response rate of males (45.5%) to females (54.5%) was almost equal. There was a good mix of different age groups among those surveyed with respondents falling mostly in the young adult category of age years (42%) or middle-age category of age years (26%). The three other age groups (under 25, 55-64, 65 or older) each made-up 11% of total respondents. Health Status: Regarding the health status of adult band members of Iskatewizaagegan Independent First Nation (IIFN) 76% considered themselves healthy. Many people engage in healthy lifestyle behaviors: 53% exercise regularly, 63% eat healthy and 48% contact a traditional healer or native herbalist when needed. 20% reported having a disability or chronic condition. Home Care Statistics: More than one-ninth (12%) of community members used home care services in the past two years. Also, many other respondents had family members who used home care services and 10% of respondents took care of a disabled or elderly person. Almost one-third (29%) of respondents stated that home care services allowed them to stay living in their home more independently. Conclusions: Community residents are healthy, for the most part. Currently a number of services are available to community members including home care and meal preparation. These services benefit many people but could benefit more people if improvements were made, particularly in the area of meal preparation, diabetes and disease prevention education, housing management/repair and home care needs assessment. By identifying health concerns and working to resolve these issues our community will become an even stronger and healthier place to live. For home care and health care services & program please contact: Laverna Greene, Community Health Director (807) Robert C. Greene, Home Care Case Manager (807) Stephan Mandamin, Housing (807) Graph 3: Adequacy of In Home Nursing Care Not sure Very much needed Needs to be increased Have enough Percent Response Graph 4: Access to Traditional Healer or Herbalist Response to “I contact a traditional healer or native herbalist when I need one.” does not apply strongly disagree disagree agree strongly agree Percent Graph 1: My Home Needs Repairs for Health & Safety Question: “My home needs repairs to make it safe to live there?” does not apply strongly disagree disagree agree strongly agree Percent Graph 2: Diabetes Education Not sure Very much needed Needs to be increase What we have is enough Percent What the community identified as needed (continued): Housing 1. Repairs: 47% responded that their home needs repairs to make it safe to live in. See Graph 1. More than half the respondents (57%) stated that assistance with home management needs to be increased. Health Programming 1. Education: Increased programming is needed in the following areas: teaching disease prevention (68%), diabetes (61%), and foot care (52%). See Graph Health Programming: Programs identified as being important included: meal program (69%); translation and medical escort for doctors appointment (39%); wellness activities for elderly and disabled (34%); support groups for persons with diabetes and other conditions (28%); transportation to medical appointment (28%); palliative care (27%); health promotion and fitness programs (25%); rehabilitation and occupational therapy (19%); mental health services (13%); therapeutic bath (11%); and, health workshops (11%). Photo Credits: Shauna Mandamin- Tyson Mandamin photo, Vicki Pinesse photo. Kelly Blackhorse- Harvey Mandamin photo. Phyllis Jack- Sunshine and Jessie photo. Christine Chan- Ella-don with Skyler photo, Melanie with Shaydan photo. What the Community identified as needed: Home Care 1. Meal preparation: Almost three-quarters of respondents (74%) answered that increased assistance is needed for meal preparation for those that cannot cook for themselves. 2. Home Care Needs Assessment: 65% stated that home care needs assessments should be improved. 3. Job Training for Health Care Staff : 58% report that health care staff do not have up-to-date job training. 4. Response Time Improvement: 43% answered that the response time for health requests need to be improved. 5. Greater Availability: 26% responded that they were caused hardships because home care services were not available to them upon release from the hospital. 10% reported having been discharged from the hospital before nursing could be arranged at home. 8% responded that they did not get a sufficient amount of care required to remain at home. 52% reported need for in-home respite services to give caregivers a break. See graph 3.