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DENINU KU'E/FORT RESOLUTION - A Fort Resolution petition has been sent to the GNWT calling for changes to a facility for elders.

The goal is to allow seniors cared for in other communities to return home, if possible.

Acting Chief Louis Balsillie of Deninu Ku'e First Nation stands outside Our Great Elders Facility in Fort Resolution. - Paul Bickford/NNSL photo

The petition calls on the Department of Health and Social Services and the NWT Housing Corporation to ensure that Our Great Elders Facility serves the "true needs" of elders in the community.

The status of the facility has been a controversial issue in Fort Resolution for several years.

The four-bed facility has been empty since 1996, when the last elder left for more extensive care in other communities.

Fort Resolution elders in need of long-term care live in Yellowknife, Fort Smith and Hay River.

"When elders have to leave the community to die by themselves, that's not how we were brought up," said the acting chief Louis Balsillie of Deninu Ku'e First Nation.

Balsillie said there are currently four Fort Resolution elders living in Yellowknife, two in Hay River and one in Fort Smith.

The 114-name petition, which was sent to the GNWT on Oct. 23, requests increased and improved services for elders that reflect Fort Resolution's desire to keep elders at home as long as possible.

"Support and resources need to be provided to family members in the community to enable elders to stay in the community as long as possible during times of illness or in situations of palliative care," the petition reads.

It also states services need to provide opportunities for elders not residing in Fort Resolution to return for regular visits.

Mary Pierrot, a 74-year-old elder, said she would like to see seniors stay at Our Great Elders Facility, noting she may wish to move in there someday.

"I don't want to move out of town," Pierrot said. "I can still get around."

Balsillie said the community wants Our Great Elders Facility to be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The acting chief said the facility can house elders with three shifts of one employee at a time to help care for and bath residents.

"We're not asking for a doctor or nurse to be on call 24 hours a day," he said.

Balsillie said the medical needs of residents could be met by nurses in the community, plus families would be available to help care for the elders.

Our Great Elders Facility is now used as a drop-in centre for seniors.

The petition also calls for aboriginal organizations in the community to be involved in the planning, development and delivery of programs and services related to elder care in Fort Resolution.

There are six one-bedroom units surrounding Our Great Elders Facility. Those units are full of seniors who live independently.