Darrell Greer
Northern News Services

Rankin Inlet ( May 17/00) - The second phase of a Nunavut-wide public information tour on Home and Community Care programs visited the Kivalliq Region this past week.

The tour, which will stop in all seven Kivalliq communities and Sanikiluaq, is a joint project of the Nunavut and federal governments.

Representatives on the tour include Annie Quirk, Nunavut Tunngavik Inc; Allen Angmalik, Nunavut Social Development Council; Elsa Cheeseman, Nunavut Department of Health and Social Services; and Helen Bellemare, Health Canada.

Quirk says the main reason for the tour is to increase awareness and understanding in the communities on what home and community care is and to provide information on how to access funds and establish programs.

"We're travelling to the different communities to make sure the people are aware of the different programs and what each entails," says Quirk.

"It's very important the people understand what's available to them in this phase.

"In the next phase, we'll be showing interested communities how to set up their own programs and establish the proper guidelines and criteria to access funding."

The information may be particularly important to those with a disability, requiring assistance to live on their own.

Others who may benefit from the program include those discharged from hospital, but still requiring home care, those who need nursing at home, those unable to live alone while waiting for care in a long-term-care facility and those with an illness or disease needing follow-up care.

The group has already visited four Kivalliq communities and Sanikiluaq.

Remaining stops include Chesterfield Inlet, May 18; Baker Lake, May 19-21; and Rankin Inlet, May 22-22.

"We hope people take advantage of our visit to come out and hear this information," says Quirk.

"These are beneficial programs which may increase the quality of life for many people in Nunavut."