Fort Resolution (Oct 09/06) - Fort Resolution won't be getting its own long-term care facility so some elders can return home from other communities.

Health and Social Services Minister Michael Miltenberger said it is not possible.

"We're not in a position to have that level of extensive care in every community, unfortunately," the minister said.

Fort Resolution wants upgraded care at the now-empty Our Great Elders Facility.

However, Miltenberger said, if elders require intensive care, they will still have to go to larger communities, noting there is nothing in the capital plan to construct a long-term care facility in Fort Resolution.

Miltenberger said the four-bed Our Great Elders Facility was never designed for long-term care with 24-hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week staffing.

Instead, he said, it is for independent living. "Which is considerably different than long-term care."

The minister noted the facility is not being closed.

The government wants to use it for improved day programs, he said. "We want to beef up our homecare in the community."

Miltenberger met with a delegation from Fort Resolution on Sept. 26, and was to provide options for the facility by early this week. "Then we'll come into the community and have a discussion about the use of the facility."

The last resident was moved from Our Great Elders Facility in April.

Eight or nine Fort Resolution elders live at facilities in Yellowknife, Hay River and Fort Smith.

The Department of Health and Social Services is taking elders to other communities because Our Great Elders Facility does not offer the level of care, such as a nurse, available elsewhere.

The facility is designed to offer independent living with meals, personal care and medicine dispensing support to seniors. The staff also delivers homecare services, foot care and palliative care primarily to community seniors.

Six one-bedroom satellite houses for seniors are adjacent to Our Great Elders Facility. Those houses are full.