COMMUNITY - Horizon Health Network
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
April 2018 | Issue 4
Community Health Needs
Assessments in Action COMMUNITY
ALBERT
COUNTY
CARLETON
COUNTY
6 18
About Albert County About Carleton County
Albert County is a rural area in the Carleton County is an area in the western part of
southeastern part of the province New Brunswick bordering Maine and is often
on the Chignecto Bay in the Bay of described as part of the Upper River Valley area
Fundy. as it is situated along the upper part of the Saint
John River.
Photo: Getty Images
CEO Message
Horizon
Health
There has been a lot of focus recently on how
a person’s environment affects their health, for Network is
driven
better or for worse. The impact that a person’s
surroundings and social situation have on their
well-being is known as the social determinants of
health, and it’s an important piece of our ongoing
work of our mission: Helping people be healthy.
Health care providers are shifting towards an
by its mission
upstream approach to helping people be healthy.
Take a look at the whole person, not just their Helping People
illness to determine the best avenue to allow them to live their best life. The
same can be said for communities. What are the barriers preventing people Be Healthy
from being healthy? Good health lies at the heart of
In my first year as your CEO, I was thrilled to be able to visit all the our daily quality of life. It is what
communities where Horizon operates. I’ve seen first-hand the assets these all New Brunswickers want for
communities have, as well as the challenges they face, but one thing’s for themselves and those they love.
certain: I left each area feeling inspired by the passion and commitment from Helping New Brunswickers be
community leaders all across this province. as healthy as they can be is the
shared purpose that motivates
The Community Health Needs Assessments take the pulse of communities
all those who work at Horizon on
around the province. We wanted to find out what health resources our a daily basis. To achieve the best
communities needed most. While these assessments are still ongoing, some results, Horizon puts patients
common themes emerged: mental health support, seniors’ programs, food and clients at the centre of the
security, and primary health care access are just some of the issues we’ve seen health delivery system.
over and over again.
Each community is unique and needs differ slightly from region to region. Each New Brunswick community
Conducting these reports was the first step to understanding what resources served by Horizon is unique.
these communities need most. Following the assessment, Horizon has Working with key community
supported dedicated teams of community members to act on the identified partners, clinicians, and other
needs. stakeholders, progress has been
made to identify and address
This fourth issue of In Your Community shows the work being done in their specific needs. This is an
Albert County and Carleton County to improve resources. I invite you to see intentional effort initiated by
what resources are available in your community, to learn what’s most needed Horizon to significantly improve
in your area, and to be inspired by the positive changes happening right now. community-based primary care,
Yours in health, and support expensive tertiary
Karen McGrath, President and CEO services required by
an aging population.
Horizon Health Network
2
8
Community development
Table of contents
Strengthening the bonds
between people, resulting in
an increased capacity to work
towards common goals.
Photo: Getty Images
10
Foods of the
Fundy Valley
Addressing food security
from the ground up
12 14
Hillsborough Peer-support group
Satellite Office for mental health
Offering primary health Support group for
care, lab services and more Albert County residents
April 2018 | Issue 4
16
Tele-Drive
Albert County
Keeping people
Community Health Needs
Assessments in Action COMMUNITY connected, seniors in
Contributors: Creative lead:
their homes and healthy
• Shannon MacLeod • Sheena Dougan
Resources: Cover credits:
20
• Jean Daigle • Photos: Age-friendly,
• Janet Hogan Getty Images regionally focused
• Gabrielle Levesque community
Printing:
• Advocate Printing Programs at AYR Motor
Centre focus on wellness
The following documents were used for all ages
as resources for this publication:
• Albert County Area Community
Health Needs Assessment
22
(February 2016) L.P. Fisher
• Carleton County Area Community
Public Library
Health Needs Assessment
(February 2016) Programs focus on
whole-person literacy
24
Hartland
Health Centre
www.HorizonNB.ca Offering access to primary
health care providers
26
Valley Food Bank
Is more than just
a food bank, it’s a
resource centre 3
Health care today
A well-designed health system With our province’s aging unique needs of the people in each
should feature both strong centres of population, southern migration, community.
hospital-based care and appropriate and shift from rural to urban The good news is that work is
community-based care “close to living, health care as we know it is underway. Horizon Health Network
home” for New Brunswick residents. changing. Government and non- (Horizon) is working in partnership
It’s a system that would ensure every government organizations and with communities to provide better
New Brunswicker has access to the communities alike are looking for preventive, primary, and long-term
services they need to be as healthy as ways to deliver care in a way that care to community members, as close
they can be. does a better job of meeting the to home as possible.
Community Health Needs Assessments
Since 2012, Horizon has been address the other 90%. The CHNA Table 1: Determinants of Health
working with communities to gain a process provides an opportunity as categorized by the
Public Health Agency of Canada
better understanding of their health to get everyone around the table
care needs using Community Health to look at all areas that are known
Needs Assessments (CHNAs). A to impact our health – health 1 Income and Social Status
CHNA is a dynamic and ongoing determinants (Table 1). 2 Social Support Networks
process that identifies the unique CHNAs help identify priority
strengths and needs of a community. areas in the community that 3 Education and Literacy
This information provides both need attention and support the Employment and
Horizon and the communities with 4
development of action plans to Working Conditions
a roadmap to achieving a common address them. This work influences
goal: to improve the overall health of 5 Social Environment
programming that better serves
New Brunswick communities. the population and often supports 6 Physical Environment
Have you ever considered how the efforts of primary health care
Personal Health Practices
housing or access to transportation providers like family physicians, 7
and Coping Skills
might affect the health of an nurse practitioners, and pharmacists.
individual? You may not know it, Healthy Child
Nobody knows a community better 8
Development
but measuring community health than the people who live there. This
goes far beyond studying rates of Biology and Genetic
work to address priority areas is 9
disease and the availability of health Endowment
being driven by a local committee
care services. Health services account that is passionate about the well- 10 Health Services
for only 10% of what influences our being of the community. With
health (see pie chart), which is why 11 Gender
support from Horizon and other
Horizon is working with individuals stakeholders, they are advocating for 12 Culture
and agencies at a community level to your health.
What influences our health?
40% Health What is primary
Behaviours
health care?
40% Social & Primary health care refers to an approach to health and
Economic Factors
a spectrum of services beyond the traditional health care
system. It includes all services that play a part in health,
10% Physical
Environment such as income, housing, education, and environment.
Primary care refers to health promotion, illness and
10% Health injury prevention, and the diagnosis and treatment of
4 Services illness and injury. (Health Canada)
17 Community Common Themes Emerging
Health Needs REGIONAL PRIORITY
Assessments Awareness of
completed Food Insecurity Services
& System Navigation
Social Supports to
Transportation Help Individuals
Move Out of Poverty
Mental Resiliency
and Coping Skills Housing
Among Children &
Youth
Collaboration
Addictions &
with First Nations
Mental Health
Services
Supporting the
Alcohol and New Family Reality
The province is divided into Drug Use/Abuse
33 unique communities
to ensure a better Expansion of Senior Isolation and
perspective of regional Sexual Health Lack of Community/
and local differences. Services & Sexual Social Supports for
Abuse Treatment/ Seniors
Community Health Needs
Prevention
Assessments have been Senior Home Care
completed wherever Access to Primary and Outreach
Horizon is located. Health Care Services Services
• Oromocto and Area
• Fredericton and Surrounding A Shift to More
Area Comprehensive, Recreation
• St. Stephen, St. Andrews and
Team-Based Primary
Surrounding Area Health Care
Enhanced
• Petitcodiac, Salisbury and More Focus on Collaboration,
Surrounding Area Chronic Disease Communication &
• Saint John Prevention Connectedness
• Moncton and Surrounding Area Continual
Healthy Eating
• Grand Lake Area Community
& Physical Activity
• Neguac Area
Engagement
• Miramichi Area
• Tantramar Area In your community
• Central New Brunswick Knowing what is happening in your community is important. In the previous
• Albert County Area three issues of In Your Community, Horizon worked with the Fredericton and
• Carleton County Area
Oromocto; Petitcodiac, Salisbury, Elgin and Havelock; Saint John and Grand
Lake, Miramichi and Neguac Areas. This fourth issue is profiling what is
• Tobique and Perth-Andover Area happening in Albert County and Carleton County. In the pages that follow, you
• Eastern Charlotte County Area will get a better understanding of what these areas are doing to build healthier
• Nackawic, Harvey, McAdam, communities and will showcase specific priorities, challenges, and successes.
Canterbury Area Watch for our next issue, which will feature news from other Horizon
• Sussex and Surrounding Area communities.
5
About
Photo : Getty Images
Albert County Key Stakeholders
(Advisory Committee)
• Albert County Health and
Wellness Centre management
• Community Health and Extra-
Mural program
The Albert County Area is a rural younger families are leaving the • Community Development
area in the Southeastern part of the community to seek employment • Public Health
province on the Chignecto Bay in elsewhere. • Mental Health and Addictions
the Bay of Fundy. Although the • Social Development
The median household income in • Wellness Branch, Social
area under study in the Community the Albert County Area is $53,676 Development
Health Needs Assessment (2011) and 15 per cent of people • Albert County Health and
(CHNA) does not include all of in the area live in low income. Wellness Centre Advisory
Albert County (it excludes the Data shows that the community • Committee
town of Riverview), community has elevated rates of many chronic • Administration, Moncton and
stakeholders felt that the name Sackville hospitals
health conditions when compared to
Albert County Area best described • Forest Dale Nursing Home
the provincial averages such as high
how they identify their community. • Paramedic
blood pressure, arthritis, gastric • Nurse Practitioner
Being home to Fundy National reflux, and diabetes. • Shepody Food Bank
Park and Hopewell Rocks, much A qualitative data collection plan • Municipality of Hillsborough
of the employment in this area is was established by the Community • Municipality of Riverside-Albert
based on tourism and is seasonal in Health Assessment (CHA) team • Municipality of Alma
nature. The area also includes the in partnership with the Albert • Fundy National Park
community of Alma, which has • Retired Clergy
County Community Advisory
a fishing industry of lobster and • Former school administrator
Committee (CAC). As part of this principal
scallops. Although the community plan, key informant interviews were • Water and Environmental
of Hillsborough has a strong conducted and focus groups, made Protection for Albert County
Acadian history, very few Acadians up community members, were held. • Chipoudy Communities
still live in the community making Revitalization Committee
the Albert County area a primarily The qualitative component
• Seniors Representative
Anglophone community. The area of CHNAs conducted by • Historical Society
also includes the community of Horizon’s CHA Team is guided • Albert County Homecare
Alma, which has a strong fishing by the Interpretive Description • Bennett and Albert County
industry. methodology, using a ‘key issues’ Health Care Foundation
analytical framework approach. A
The population of the Albert summarized list of key issues was
County Area has decreased five then presented to the Albert County
per cent from 2006 to 2011. This Area CAC for feedback, and CAC The priorities that emerged
decrease is mainly attributed to members were asked to participate from the exercise are used to
an aging population (17 per cent in a prioritization exercise of the key finalize the list of priorities and
of the population is aged 65 years issues based on their own experience recommendations for the Albert
and over) and to the fact that many in the community. County Area.
6
What was learned County Health and Wellness from the ground up with gardening
through the Centre and strategize on how to clubs and workshops where
move forward with the original participants can learn how to grow
Community Health vision of the CHC model of
Needs Assessment? vegetables, beekeeping and more.
care.
Priority Areas: 10. Transportation issues in the Where do we go
1. The need to improve mental community that impact health. from here?
resiliency and coping skills Albert County is embracing its
among children and youth in How are we doing? rural roots and making access to
the community. Since the completion of the primary health care second nature
2. The need for Albert County CHNA for Albert County, there to residents.
Health and Wellness Centre have been great strides made in
outreach services in the Getting back to growing and
addressing the gaps identified in the
community of Hillsborough. teaching young people gardening
recommendations. The outreach
skills is laying the groundwork for
3. The need for improved access services from the Albert County
future generations – knowledge
to mental health services in the Health and Wellness Centre being
community. today’s children will pass on to their
offered at the Hillsborough Satellite
own children.
4. An insufficient amount of safe, Office has been embraced by the
affordable housing options in greater population, with easier While not all the priority areas have
the community. access to lab services, primary been tackled, there is no question
health care, a dietitian and more. By the people in the area are engaged
5. The need for improved
supports in the community offering primary health care services and working together to find
for young families that are in the area’s high school, students solutions to all the priorities to help
struggling and experiencing learn to take control of their own people be healthy!
difficulties. health at a young age. In the following pages you will
6. The need for improved Transportation was a priority and learn more about Albert County
collaboration between the the Tele-Drive Albert County and the strides they’ve made
municipalities in the area service began flourishing following with their programs, services and
and between municipalities the assessment. Tele-Drive is a non- organizations.
and health and wellness
profit organization that provides
professionals in the community.
affordable transportation to those
7. Food insecurity in the living in Albert County. Drivers are
community. volunteers and are reimbursed by
8. The need for additional the kilometre. The isolation barrier
programs and services in the is broken down; people are better
Photo : Getty Images
community to allow seniors connected and healthier.
to become more engaged,
connected and mobile. The Foods of the Fundy Valley
is doing its part to battle food
9. The need to evaluate the
insecurity in the area by working
current function of the Albert
Photo : Getty Images
7
Horizon Health Network
wanted to highlight role of
Community development a community developer and
feature some of the work
through a primary-health
that’s been done in
Albert County.
care lens
Community development “You’re able to make connections,
strengthens the bonds between network, and have something Continual Community
people, resulting in an increased to bring to the table when it’s Engagement
capacity to work towards common appropriate,” he said. “So you have
goals. that linkage.”
Joseph Gallant, community Gallant said a community
developer for Albert County, developer’s role is to identify where
said looking at communities the gaps are and facilitate filling that might not even seem health
from an asset-based approach is them. related,” he said.
the foundation of community
“I build the web, build the network. One example is a local newsletter-
development and at Horizon Health
I am really a resource person,” he style magazine called Connecting
Network; there are five pillars to
said. “The role of a community Albert County, which also has an
follow.
developer is not to run programs. online presence.
“The five strategies are: engaging A lot of times community “By filling that gap and connecting
the community, strengthening development, health promotion and more people, you’re reducing the
community capacity, improving education can get confused because, sense of isolation, you’re connecting
access to services and information, yes, I am a nurse, but I am also a more groups so they might be able
building partnerships and community developer.” to problem solve together.”
relationships and creating
Having been in that role since 2012, Gallant said with Connecting
supportive environments,” said
Gallant said one of the biggest Albert County, different groups can
Gallant, who is based out of the
changes he’s witnessed is the organize and schedule their events
Albert County Health and Wellness
engagement and communication effectively so there aren’t several
Centre, in Riverside-Albert.
across the region. events booked for one day, and it
To do just that, Gallant, a registered
“There are more community impacts the ability of the region to
nurse, said he tries to sit on as many
groups that are involved in things work together.
boards locally and regionally as he
can.
Photo: Getty Images
8
of health,” said Gallant. “Primary
health care and the social
determinants of health are two
different ways of looking at health
care, but they can be married
together.”
Gallant said while studying for his
nursing degree, he really enjoyed
working in the community in
primary health care.
“I enjoyed that perspective and
how that looks. You look at the
whole person, not just reacting to
an illness, but trying to prevent an
illness. Working with the patient to
figure out what their goals are and
Horizon’s mission statement approach in health care, which having patient- and family-centered
of helping people be healthy is fits perfectly with community care.”
fundamental with community development – the idea of looking
development, Gallant said. That being said, with his
at the whole person and not just the
background, Gallant fits perfectly
“A community developer helps illness.
into the community developer
people be healthy, just as any health Originally from Prince Edward role: just replace ‘patient’ with
provider would, it just works in Island, Gallant has been in Albert ‘community.’
a different way to help people be County since 2009, when he started
healthy,” he said. He looks at the whole community
nursing.
of Albert County to figure out what
The whole reason Gallant became a “My nursing degree was built on its goals are, not its needs, but rather
community developer was because principles of primary health care its assets and builds on what’s there
he enjoyed the community piece of and in almost all my courses, we and fills the gaps.
the health care puzzle. talked about the social determinants
“That had been my goal,
my dream to work in the
community using the primary
health care lens in a place that
needed it and it was applicable,”
he said.
Gallant said some health care
providers look at illness and
treat – which is an essential
part of health care – but that
approach doesn’t fit within
the paradigm of community
development.
“It doesn’t address the
underlying issues; it’s
reacting to disease rather
than trying to prevent
disease from ever
happening,” he said.
Gallant said many health
care providers take the upstream
9
Foods of the Fundy Valley Horizon Health Network
conducted a Community Health
Needs Assessment in 2016. The
addressing food insecurity following article highlights the
key recommendations of that
from the ground up
assessment.
Foods of the Fundy Valley is an are farmers, bakers, innkeepers,
organization that is working to teachers, business owners,
improve food security in Albert accountants, cooks, artists – people
County. from all walks of life.” Food Insecurity
Their initiatives include a seasonal Following the Community Health
wholesale produce basket, a Needs Assessment, food security
community garden, and some was identified as a factor in Albert
educational courses that are County and Andrews said that Club, and Kids in the Kitchen are all
mostly focused on food in order to tackle food successful programs they have been
preservation methods insecurity; Foods of running in collaboration with the
such as canning, the Fundy Valley schools.
fermenting, and works from the
“If you don’t learn it as a way of life
jam making. ground up.
growing up, then it’s very beneficial
Tatum Andrews, “We have to have in the school system,” said
program established Brown. “Every year we do a harvest
coordinator, said Foods programs in lunch at one of the schools with the
of the Fundy Valley was partnership with the food the students grow.”
incorporated in 2010 with Hillsborough and Riverside
Lynne Greenblatt, board member, said
a vision to create a stronger and Schools, to work with kids from
the garden clubs are very active in the
more vibrant Albert County, where grades K-12, and teach them to
schools.
residents can enjoy all the benefits of grow, prepare, cook and eat fresh,
consuming locally produced foods nutritious food right from our soil,” “We want it instilled into young
– while farmers and food producers she said. people, but luckily, if you’re really
profit economically. committed there’s a lot of information
Board member Lisa Brown
on the Internet now,” said Greenblatt.
“We are governed by an elected said Little Green
board of directors, and are Thumbs, Caledonia Other workshops, geared more
supported by many passionate and Growing, Riverside towards adults include a basic
energetic volunteers throughout the School Garden
community,” said Andrews. “We
10introductory to beekeeping Every third week of the month,
workshop, hydroponics, and how to bags are available at pickup points
build cob ovens. at Harbourview Market in Alma,
The beekeeping workshops are the Albert County Health and Wellness
busiest ones, which are always full, Centre and Crooked Creek
with about 40 participants. Convenience in Riverside-Albert
and Curryville Community Centre
The seed starting workshops in Curryville.
are popular. The last time it was
offered, an additional workshop was Brown said to the idea behind
added - two back-to-back. Foods of the Fundy Valley is to use
food security or simply food as a
“It depends on the workshop, means to develop a community.
but we’ll have anywhere from 10
participants to 40,” said Greenblatt. “Food security, education and
business development are the three
“We haven’t had a poor turn out pillars,” Brown said.
for any of the workshops,” added
Brown. At the end of the day, one thing
is clear about Andrews, Brown,
Andrews said they’ve created a Greenblatt and everyone else
community garden at the Forest involved with Foods of the Fundy
Dale Home, where community Valley: they all have a passion for
members can utilize at 10’ by 10’ food.
plot – and the best part about it?
Members of Foods of the Fundy If anyone else shares that
Valley are an invaluable resource passion, is interested in more
to help those who are new to information on workshops or
gardening. anything to do with Foods of
the Fundy Valley can email
As well, Foods of the Fundy
foodsofthefundyvalley
Valley coordinates the Community @gmail.com.
Food Smart Program which sees
a monthly bulk-food delivery
of locally-sourced foods, when
possible. Food bags cost $15 and
contain more than $30 worth of
produce.
“It’s packed full of fresh produce,
staple items like potatoes, carrots,
onions, bananas, apples and we add
on four to five extra items,” said
Andrews.
11Horizon Health Network
Hillsborough Satellite Office conducted a Community Health
Needs Assessment in 2016. The
offers primary health care,
following article highlights the
key recommendations of that
assessment.
lab services and more
Prompted by the Community Network provided resources and
Health Needs Assessment, the technology through its network.
Albert County Health and Wellness “With the support of the Access to Primary
Centre now offers outreach services foundation, the village and Health Care Services
to the Hillsborough Satellite Office Horizon, we’re now able to offer
to be more accessible to the local services to the greater population,”
population. said Hudson.
Located at the Old Village nursing services, a nurse can be
At the same time of the partnership,
Church Place, on Main Street booked to come that day.
a nurse practitioner began working
in Hillsborough, the satellite out of the office and all lab services “If we know in advance, we have
office offers lab services, dietitian went electronic. the office. We can arrange for the
services, nursing services, primary nurse to come from [the] Albert
health care services with a nurse In January 2017, the office began
County Health and Wellness
practitioner and future plans of offering primary health care visits,
Centre,” she said. “As an example,
hiring a social worker to provide then by February; the dietitian
there was a patient who needed an
mental health support. began working out of the office.
Phyllis Hudson, manager of the Krista Cormier, nurse practitioner,
Albert County Health and Wellness offers services two days per week in
Centre, said this is something Hillsborough.
the community needed, so she “We were fortunate, because
anticipates offering additional Krista was already in the school and
primary health care services and already providing services,” said
expanding what’s currently being Hudson. “So that transition was
offered. easy for us because she’s already
“We want to give more, we just known in the area for what she
have to get it organized,” said does.”
Hudson. Cormier said the services she
Services offered at the satellite office provides as a nurse practitioner
began in stages, starting with lab are very similar to what a family
injection so one of the nurses from
services in November 2015. physician provides to his or her
Albert met him here, to save him
patients.
“We started out very gradual, it was the drive.”
all manual, paperwork was manual, “I manage chronic disease, I treat
Cormier said all scheduling is done
just to give clients a taste and it common-acute illnesses, I do routine
through the main line at the Albert
worked out wonderfully,” said things like renewing prescriptions
County Health and Wellness Centre
Hudson. or if someone needs testing, or
in Riverside-Albert, so patients call
bloodwork done,” she said. “If
Then, in August 2016, a partnership 506-882-3100.
someone needs to see a specialist, I
was formed between the Bennett consult specialists and can refer to “Because we have electronic
and Albert County Health Care specialists.” medical records, charts are shared
Foundation, which held fundraisers very easily,” she said. “If someone
to furnish the office, the Village In a sense, Cormier said what
in Albert makes a change to
of Hillsborough covered the cost they’re offering in Hillsborough is
my schedule, while I’m here [in
of the rent, while Horizon Health a one-stop-shop. If someone needs
Hillsborough], we see it right away.”
12As well as her work at the satellite Since the Hillsborough Satellite to Statistics Canada in 2011, the
office, Cormier offers primary Office began offering services, population of Hillsborough sat at
health services at Caledonia Hudson said the community has 1,277, Riverside-Albert at 353 and
Regional High School, which is benefitted, especially from the lab Alma at 301.
located in Hillsborough. She not services. Hudson said in its first year of
only offers sexual health services, “It saves patients from driving into operation, there were 1,730 lab visits
but any primary health care service Moncton, if they can get to the and approximately 200 primary
that’s needed by students or staff. Hillsborough office before 11:30 health care visits. She wants to
With the help of the Bennett a.m. on Tuesday or Thursday, it continue to expand on the services
and Albert County Health Care saves them a trip,” Hudson. offered.
Foundation and the Anglophone As well, Hudson said the lab “I would like to see some evening
East School District, Cormier services helps with Extra Mural access, that’s the goal,” she said.
established a satellite office at the staff, who can schedule visits with
high school in 2010. Hudson said they will continue to
clients around the lab schedule expand services when they can and
“That was our first satellite office so they know they can drop their for the time being she, and everyone
and it paved the way to have the specimens off those days. in Albert County, is proud of the
Hillsborough Satellite Office,” she Hudson said oncology patients are increased level of service being
said. “We opened our doors at the benefitting greatly from the lab offered in Hillsborough.
school to anything that was primary services because if there’s a basic
care.” lab test needed, and they’re in the For appointments at either
Cormier offers primary health Hillsborough area, they can go the the Albert County Health
care services at the high school in office Tuesday or Thursday. and Wellness Centre or the
the same manner she does at the Hillsborough Satellite Office,
“It saves them the long trip and call 506-882-3100.
Hillsborough Satellite Office. what can sometimes be stressful,
“It’s not just students receiving driving into Moncton,” Hudson
services, it’s for staff as well, said.
which helps keep people in the The greater
workplace,” she said. “So if you population of
have a staff member who needs a Albert County
refill of her prescription, they can is located in
just pop down and see Hillsborough.
me on their break and According
it saves them a day
away from work.”
13Horizon Health Network
conducted a Community Health
Needs Assessment in 2016. The
following article highlights the
key recommendations of that
assessment.
Peer-support group for Addictions &
Mental Health Services
mental health offers hope
A nurse, who organizes a peer 12 participants attending. From The three key components of the
support group for mental health in there, they met on a weekly basis, meetings are no comparison, no
Albert County, said she wants to and then based on the needs of the judgment and no analysis.
show there’s a light at the end of the participants, they met monthly.
“I learned that in the grief-recovery
tunnel. The group last met in December method training, but they’re very
“Hope. It’s a little bit of hope and 2017. There is no charge to attend, powerful,” she said.
because as a mentor, that’s all I can and around five to seven people
Stevens said while she learned those
do, is offer hope,” said Cynthia attend the meetings regularly.
three components for grief, they’re
Stevens. “I believe that I have a Going forward, Stevens said
applicable to the peer support group
gift and my gift meeting will take
because people can talk openly.
is helping my place on the third
community, Wednesday of “We’re very open and we will talk
helping my peers each month, with about anything and everything.
and doing the the next being in Those in attendance will try to come
best that I can do May. up with a solution.”
mentoring them.” The format of the Stevens said getting together
Based on the meetings is very and talking about anything and
Community informal. Stevens everything is therapeutic in itself.
Health Needs said one person “There are a whole lot of things, we
Assessment’s talks at a time just talk about life,” said Stevens.
(CHNA’s) and if someone When someone is going through
priority of having can add to the something, a participant in the
improved access conversation, group may be able to add to the
to mental health they’re welcome conversation because they could
services in the community, Stevens, to do so – in a respectful manner. have had a similar experience.
a registered nurse, began a mental “Anyone can come, it doesn’t make
health support group for Albert any difference,” she said. “And if
County residents. you want to just come and sit and
Stevens said after the CHNA listen you can, but confidentiality is
identified mental health support a big thing.”
as a top priority, the first meeting
took place March 16, 2017 with
14“If I’ve got something that I know, what I do,” said Stevens. “People doing the best I can,” she said.
because I’ve experienced it, can I will tell their friends and family “From today, maybe we can find
share that with you?” Stevens said. members to come see me, they a positive and work towards you
“I share that, I’m just as human as recognize that I can guide and becoming valuable to yourself, and
you are and I’m no different. I’ve direct.” then to your community.”
lived and I’ve done the best I can In her 32 years of work as a The next meeting, will take place
and can I help you?” registered nurse, Stevens said it’s the evening of Wednesday, May 16
In addition to the mental health very empowering to know the at 6:30 p.m. at the Albert County
support group, in the fall of 2017, community and its leaders stand Health and Wellness Centre.
Stevens was facilitating grief and behind her.
Anyone looking for more
bereavement sessions in partnership “I’m getting that support and I’m information can email her at
with Hospice Greater Moncton, tickled pink,” she said. Cynthia.Stevens@HorizonNB.ca,
coordinating Living Life to the Full, call or text her at
in partnership with the Canadian Community members who need 506-866-6247
Mental Health Association, peer-support for mental health, or call the health and wellness
or for grief and bereavement are centre’s main line at
Moncton branch, and she was
welcome to attend meetings. 506-882-3100.
active with the Ottawa Model for
Smoking Cessation. “I have been given the opportunity
“I’m out in the community, people to make a difference in my little
are getting to know me and know bubble in Albert County and I’m
15Tele-Drive Albert County Horizon Health Network
conducted a Community Health
keeps people connected,
Needs Assessment in 2016. The
following article highlights the
key recommendations of that
seniors in their homes assessment.
and healthy
Were it not for a door-to-door Aside from her vision loss, Parsons
affordable transportation service is perfectly capable of taking care of Transportation
in rural Albert County, Marion herself and lives an independent life
Parsons would have lost her in her own home.
independence.
“Not being able to get around, I
suppose my daughter would have How it works is simple: a client calls
to put me some place, I don’t want Beers and she books a driver.
that,” she said. “I want to stay “They contact me at least 48
independent as long as I can and hours before. They need to be
look after myself.” registered, so I just need a little bit
Coordinator Kim Beers said of information, and as long as I have
affordable transportation was their information, I book the ride,”
identified by the Community said Beers.
Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) There are 78 registered households
as something that was lacking in the and on average there are two people
area and Tele-Drive has filled that per household for a total of 156
gap. individuals who use the service.
“After the needs assessment “That being said, not all of them are
was completed, we had the frequent flyers, some are using the
reinforcement that what we were service just in the winter, some are
doing was a necessity and we just here temporarily,” Beers said.
pushed to get more drivers and
The service is open and available for
ensure clients were able to use
anyone in Albert County; however,
the service,” said Beers. “I had to
focus is on providing drives for
resort to cold calling people who
seniors, low/fixed income and
“I lost my eyesight a few years ago, I knew retired and I was actually
isolated individuals.
I don’t have much vision, so I can’t quite successful. And current
drive,” she said. “I used to drive all volunteers and board members “We have provided transportation
over the place, I thought I’d be a have also helped with recruiting, by to summer students who work in
Tele-Drive driver, but I ended up telling their friends or family about Fundy [National Park],” said Beers.
needing the service instead.” volunteering.” The cost is roughly $15 travel from
Incorporated as a non-profit In 2016, the year the assessment was community to community, so as an
organization in 2013 and a completed; Tele-Drive provided example, from Alma to Riverside-
registered charity in 2014, Tele- 484 rides, with 7,560 kilometres Albert and back costs $15. Longer
Drive Albert County provides traveled and 550 hours volunteered. trips are pricier, so from Alma to
affordable transportation and is In 2017 Tele-Drive provided 668 Moncton and back would be $35.
designed to improve the quality of rides, volunteers traveled 22,679.9 While there are 156 individuals who
Photo: Getty Images
life for people with little or no access kilometres and 1,045 hours were use the service, Beers said they’re
to affordable transportation. volunteered. helping more than just those who
16use the service because it takes “Marion and I have a great time,” her directly at 875-1190.
the stress of friends and family Sinclair said. Beers said Tele-Drive is made
members who would typically drive Parsons said she uses the service possible with the Bennett and Albert
their loved one. regularly. Community Health Foundation,
“I have family members who call “I use it for doctor’s appointments, United Way Moncton, the Villages
who will say ‘In order for me to take to get groceries and they help me of Alma, Riverside-Albert and
my loved one to their appointment, in the store because I can’t find Hillsborough, as well as through
I have to take a half day off work,’ anything, and wherever I need to grants and donations.
and you only get so many weeks of go,” said Parsons. “All the drivers “They are a passionate and
vacation,” said Beers. are very helpful.” committed group of stakeholders
Drivers, like retiree Barb Sinclair, It’s not for just medical working together to run an effective
use their own vehicle and pick up appointments and errands; Parsons transportation service that fit the
clients at their door, bring them to uses it to get out to social gatherings. community needs, using available
wherever they need to go, and then local assets,” Beers said.
bring them home. “They pick me up and we go play
cards and I play as long as I can Each year, Beers said they survey
Prior to Tele-Drive, Beers said because I enjoy the company,” she participants for feedback on the
clients told her they were picking said. service, and to see where and how
and choosing which medical they can improve.
appointments to attend because they “If it works into the schedule, then
maybe we’ll go to lunch too,” said “Individuals report they are
didn’t want to ask loved ones for feeling less stressed and worried,
drives. Sinclair, with a laugh.
feeling more connected to their
“That’s not always easy to ask, To ensure the clients can get communities, feeling happier,
people feel like they’re a burden,” everywhere they need to be, Beers healthier and feeling more
said Sinclair, who’s reimbursed has 30 drivers located between independent since using the Tele-
by the kilometre driven from the Alma and Riverview, and a couple Drive service,” said Beers.
moment she leaves her driveway. of drivers who are licenced to drive
a wheelchair accessible van. The CHNA identified a lack
Although she’s paid, Sinclair said of transportation, the need for
she’s not in it for the money. “In Hillsborough we do have less more engagement, mobility and
drivers and could use more,” said connectivity as issues that were
“I look at it as paying it forward, I Beers, adding if someone wants to
want something there when I need impacting health in Albert County
volunteer as a driver, they can call – and Tele-Drive Albert County has
it,” Sinclair said with a laugh. “It’s
a good service and someday I may filled that gap.
need it.”
For more information about
As well, Sinclair said she enjoys the volunteering as a driver or
camaraderie because it’s more than getting involved as a client with
Tele-Drive Albert County, call
just a driver bringing a client to
506-875-1190 or email
their destination, she’s built lasting teledriveac@gmail.com.
friendships.
17About
Photo: Getty Images
Carleton County
Carleton County is an area in the cent of the population is living in low
western part of New Brunswick income. Data shows that Carleton
Key Stakeholders
(Advisory Committee)
bordering Maine and is often County has increasing rates of
described as part of the Upper River many chronic health conditions and • Florenceville-Bristol – Municipal
Council
Valley area as it is situated along the elevated rates of high blood pressure,
• Hartland – Municipal Council
upper part of the Saint John River. diabetes and Emphysema or COPD • Woodstock – Municipal Council
Being home to the corporate when compared to provincial • Extra Mural Program
headquarters of McCain Foods, averages. • Public Health
the largest producer of French Quantitative data review and • Family Physician
fries in the world, much of the qualitative data collection for • Nurse Practitioner
area is involved in potato farming the Community Health Needs • Diabetes Outreach
• Mental Health and Addictions
and agriculture. Other industries Assessment (CHNA) review and
• Carleton Manor Nursing Home
in the area include transportation, analysis were used by Horizon’s
• Social Development, Wellness
warehousing, forestry and lumber Community Health Assessment Branch
production. (CHA) Team. A qualitative data • NBCC Woodstock
Carleton County is also home to the collection plan was established by • High School Administration
Maliseet community of Woodstock the CHA Team in partnership with • Elementary School Administration
First Nation with a population of the Carleton County Community • Community Schools Program
Advisory Committee (CAC). As • Tourism, Heritage and Culture,
284 on reserve and 641 off reserve. Active Communities Branch
part of this plan, key informant
The population of Carleton County • Early Language Services
interviews were held with
has seen an increase of one per cent • Carleton County Retired Teachers
stakeholders in the area of primary Association
from 2006-2011. Data shows that health care and key stakeholder • Harvest House
Carleton County has increasing rates groups were consulted through the • Community Residential Living Board
of many chronic health conditions focus group interview method. • River Valley Arts Alliance
and elevated rates of high blood
The priorities that emerged from the • Multicultural Association
pressure, diabetes and Emphysema • Woodstock Police Force
or COPD when compared to exercise are used to finalize the list of
• Woodstock Fire Department
provincial averages. priorities and recommendations for
• Community of Centreville
Carleton County.
The median household income in • Volunteer Family Services
the community is $46,921 and 22 per • Big Brothers Big Sisters
• PFLAG
• Red Cross
Photo: Getty Images
• Western Valley Regional Service
Commission
• Falls Brook Centre
18 • Carleton Victoria Community
Inclusion NetworkWhat was learned How are we doing? Where do we
through the Since the completion of the CHNA go from here?
Community Health for Carleton County was completed, Carleton County is on the cusp of so
Needs Assessment? major steps have been taken to many great things. While nothing is
Priority Areas: address the key priority areas and set in stone, community leaders are
the groundwork is being laid to working diligently to tackle these
1. Access to family physicians in
continue to fill in the gaps where projects.
the community is limited and
necessary. Now that the priority areas have
is expected to become more
challenging in coming years as The work the Valley Food Bank been identified, Carleton County
many retire. does is instrumental in providing has goals in place and the right
access to healthy meals to people all people are working to ensure
2. The need for more senior
throughout Carleton County and they are reached. The sense of
outreach programming in the
even beyond. As well, the programs community-mindedness in the
community to help keep seniors
that are offered from their location, region is infectious, and they have
in their own homes longer.
as well as the clothing, small the right attitude about tackling
3. Transportation issues in the appliances and furniture that are the issues and helping people be
community that impact health. available, the building is more of a healthy!
4. Lack of awareness regarding resource centre than simply just a In the following pages you will
programs and services already food bank. read more about Carleton County’s
available in the community. The AYR Motor Centre has easily wonderful programs and services.
5. Current hours of operation for been transformed into a hub for
primary health care services all ages with its programs like the
(including mental health Itty Bitty Movers, Active Adults,
services) are a barrier for many Inclusive Movement Drop-In
and needs to be examined. and more. As well, there are now
6. The need for more mental healthier options at the 2nd Home
health services in the Café and Grill.
community to address the The Hartland Health Centre
Photo: Getty Images
growing rate of mental health expanded its services to provide
issues among youth. better access to primary health care
7. Food insecurity in the to include two nurse practitioners,
community. who can see patients seeking
8. An insufficient amount of safe primary health care. Sexual health
affordable housing options in services are also available at the
the community. health centre.
Photo: Google Maps
19Town of Woodstock
shifts focus to be an
age-friendly, regionally
focused community
Following the completion of the Community Health
Needs Assessment (CHNA), community leaders in
Carleton County came to an agreement there needed
to be better communication among government
agencies with a focus on wellness.
The Town of Woodstock and the Carleton Manor
signed an agreement to lead the Age-Friendly
Community Recognition Process which supports
AYR Motor Centre
participation and healthy active lifestyles for older
adults and all citizens through a steering committee. focuses programs focus
Woodstock Mayor Arthur Slipp said thanks to the
CHNA, Carleton County is now ready to move forward. on wellness for all ages
“We have a steering committee that’s continuing to
work on the objectives the health needs assessment
Prior to its renovation and expansion, the AYR Motor
identified,” said Slipp. Centre was essentially a pool and arena. Now it houses
a field house, walking track, weight room facility,
He said the first step was to have better
conference and community rooms with kitchen spaces.
communication and coordination among different
government agencies and non-governmental Arthur Slipp, Woodstock’s mayor, said the renovation
organizations. changed the whole focus of the building from a
“The communication has significantly improved and recreational facility to a community wellness centre.
the focus is on wellness,” said Slipp. “It’s for the entire region; we now have a regional
While there is still work to be done in Carleton County, focus, which has been a major step forward for the
the community leaders are taking the right approach community,” he said. “Prior to the expansion, its main
in improving the overall health of the community and users were athletes. Now, if you sit and watch the
they are on the brink of many great things. people that come in, it’s a totally different mix of the
“We were very forward thinking and visionary when demographics of our community.”
we were looking at our community infrastructure
Kelly Foster-Hallett, director of recreation for the Town
and part of what we were able to accomplish was
refocusing on wellness in general,” said Slipp.
of Woodstock and facility manager at the AYR Motor
Centre, said the motor centre has transformed into a
The AYR Motor Centre and the L.P. Fisher Library are bustling hub for people of all ages.
two facilities that now offer programs that cater to
wellness, which, at the end of the day, are helping “We try to provide a wellness opportunity, an inclusive
people be healthy. opportunity for all patrons of Woodstock and its
surrounding areas,” she said.
In April 2017, Foster-Hallett said they tracked more
than 350 people using the walking track per day.
Photo: Google Maps
“The elevator takes care of the accessibility piece so we
have a lot of people rehabbing with knees and hips,” she
said.
As well, there are heart-rate monitors available for
anyone who’s had a cardiac event who is rehabilitating.
“If they’ve had heart surgery or concerns, they can sign
them out for free and monitor their heart rate,” she said.
20Horizon Health Network
conducted a Community Health Foster-Hallett said they work with something that’s not allowing you
Needs Assessment for the local schools to provide swimming to come when everyone else is here,
Carleton County Area in 2015. lessons during the daytime. then you have your own spot,”
The following article highlights “They take classes for 10 weeks and added Foster-Hallett.
key recommendations
of that assessment. we run them through life-saving Foster-Hallett said the Youth Zone
structures, it gives parents time to Drop-in, is an afterschool program
enjoy Saturdays instead of coming for students from Grade 6 to 9 to
to lessons on the weekend,” she said. get involved in a variety of physical
“As well we do tot swims where activities, with no charge. It is
parents can come in and expose possible thanks to a partnership
their children to the water.” with the Woodstock Canadian Tire
Recreation and Woodstock Rotary Club.
They also offer Active Adults,
which can be a variety of events and Slipp said better communication
social time, the Inclusive Movement was a key component, so in order
Drop-in, which is for individuals to inform the public about all the
Itty Bitty Movers runs seven days with intellectual and physical programs offered at the motor
per week for parents to bring their challenges. centre, they keep the website up to
children between the ages of zero date and provide a booklet.
“At the administrative level, there
and five-years old.
has been an attempt to make sure
“It’s so you have access to socialize that it is an inclusionary facility,” For more information
with other parents as well as on programming, visit
said Slipp. woodstocknbrecreation.com
children can socialize with other or call the centre at
“Everyone can come any time,
children every day.” 506-325-4671.
but we make sure that if there’s
21Horizon Health Network
Programs at L.P. Fisher conducted a Community Health
Needs Assessment in 2016. The
following article highlights the
Public Library focus on key recommendations of that
assessment.
whole-person literacy
A group of adults spend their Carson has done her part to help
Friday afternoons colouring at the ensure that happens because in 2017
L.P. Fisher Public Library. there were more than 33,000 people Enhanced Collaboration,
that passed through the doors at the Communication
Librarian Jennifer Carson provides & Connectedness
the adult colouring books, markers, library.
pencil crayons – all the material, “Our program numbers have
while some people bring their own. quadrupled,” she said.
“There are a number of people who Carson said all across New Excel spreadsheet, make an email
come every week, they’re really into Brunswick, libraries are shifting account, or how to use Kijiji,” she
it,” Carson said. from the traditional idea of what a said.
One afternoon, following a library is, to becoming community
Physical literacy is addressed through
colouring session, Carson said a man centres, or a person’s third space.
the movement-based programs that
came up to tell her how important “There’s a place between work are offered for people with a variety
the colouring group was to him. and home that people go to for of different needs.
“He said, ‘I was so depressed that I entertainment or education, and so
“I teach yoga, but I can adapt it to
hadn’t left my house for about four libraries are working towards being
chair yoga, for people who can’t
months and someone encouraged that third space in people’s lives,”
necessarily get down on the floor,”
me to go to this colouring group and she said.
she said.
now it’s the highlight of my week. Carson said her approach is focusing
If people are looking for a harder
I look forward to it, it’s completely on what she calls whole-person
workout, Carson teaches a more
changed my life’’,” she said he told literacy, which is much more than
advance yoga class and she organizes
her. just literacy in the textual sense of
other workout activities as well.
As a librarian who focuses on reading.
“We have a walking club, a running
wellness programs, Carson said that “Financial literacy, for example, we
club, we have ballroom dance, dance
is why she loves what she does. offer programs on how to mortgage
programs for kids, we do mini-golf
“He was the hero who got himself your first house or how to do your
in the library,” she said. “And I add
out of bed to come. You don’t know taxes, or digital-literacy needs like
movement into every one of our story
what you’re doing, what kind of how to use a computer or make an
times too.”
magic you are working in people’s
lives,” she said. “My job is just to
facilitate that magic. It’s not my
magic it’s their magic, they’re the
ones who are doing the work.”
The Community Health Needs
Assessment (CHNA) identified
a need for more senior outreach
programming to help keep seniors
in their own homes longer.
22You can also read
