Derek Neary
Northern News Services
Fort Simpson (Jun 08/01) - Nine Deh Cho graduates were honoured Thursday afternoon after accelerating their way through a home-care course.
Some of the students had worked in home care for years prior to completing the course, but welcomed the opportunity to broaden their knowledge base.
Leah Keats, home-care co-ordinator for Deh Cho Health and Social Services, explained that the educational program is needed to address their changing role from that of home-makers to personal support providers in the home.
The home-care workers met for five to 10 days every six to eight weeks to tackle another of the 12 modules. They finished the final module last month, shaving more than six months off the two years allotted for the course.
"I learned a lot. I think I have a real confidence in myself that I'll be taking better care of the elders than I did before," said Fort Providence graduate Albertine Nadli.
Home-care workers provide basic medical care for the elderly and the disabled, allowing them to live independently in their homes for as long as possible. They check blood pressure and, blood-sugar levels, monitor medications, help with grocery shopping and medical appointments and, most importantly, talk to the elders about their health and life in general, usually in Slavey.
As Leah Keats noted, they are the "eyes and ears" of the program.
"To the world you might only be one person, but to one person you might be the world, so go for it," she told the graduates.
Deh Cho MLA Michael McLeod said the workers are even more valuable in light of the shortage of medical personnel across the country. He described them as part doctor, nurse, social worker, psychiatrist and interpreter.
"It really sets an example for the youth in our communities," McLeod said of their academic accomplishment.
Ethel Lamothe, manager of community wellness for Deh Cho Health and Social Services, said, "It's more than a job, it's a way (for) them to share themselves with the community, with the elders."
Ron Holtorf, Thebacha campus director for Aurora College, promised that there would be more funding to continue the program in the future.
"We'll find the money. You'll be looking after me a in a while," he said, eliciting laughter.
