A comprehensive base of information on the health needs of Island seniors was made available today when George Proud, Member of Parliament for Hillsborough, representing the Honourable Fred Mifflin, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Secretary of State (ACOA), and the Honourable Mildred Dover, PEI Minister of Health and Social Services, officially released the results of The PEI Seniors and Veterans Health Study.
The study was conducted in October 1996 to explore what health means to seniors, to better understand what determines good health among seniors, and to explore the resources and services are requried to promote healthy living from the perspective of PEI seniors. The study was conducted by an independent research firm for the PEI Health System and Veterans Affairs Canada. Participants included more than seventy-five seniors and veterans, health providers, caregivers and representatives of community organizations who participated in the study through a series of eight focus groups held throughout the province.
Based on information gathered from focus group sessions, the majority of participating seniors and veterans highlighted independence, and personal happiness when asked to define good health. Eating healthy food, the support of family and friends, personal choice habits and having the skills to cope with stress and worry were seen as the most important factors influencing or contributing to good health.
Throughout the focus group sessions, seniors and veterans identified several resources which help them to be and stay healthy. Resources included transportation, care for the caregiver and income, as well as access to information, resources and services. The report findings clearly highlight the need for improved information distribution with regard to senior resources for health and the services currently available. A multi-media approach was recommended, with a particular emphasis on the delivery of information to those "hard-to-reach" seniors. Wherever possible, it was seen as being desirable to deliver information personally, with written documents to remain as reference material.
"The study findings are of great value and importance to the province, the country and the health community as a whole in that they provide insight into seniors' perceptions of health services and community resources, and how they can be improved to meet their health promotion needs," said Mr. Proud. "Seniors are presently the fastest growing demographic segment of the Canadian population and this trend will continue as baby boomers age. The challenge now is to use these ideas and recommendations from seniors to create partnerships among governments, community organizations, seniors, veterans and their organizations to recognize and support health promotion for seniors in PEI."
"The study findings validated PEI's health promotion framework which proposes that in addition to health services, health is determined by many other factors such as social support networks, income, and personal health practises," said Minister Dover. "The findings will be used by the health system and Veterans Affairs in partnership with community groups to develop health promotion programs and support existing ones to improve the longevity and quality of life of Island seniors and veterans."
Based on the findings of the study, a Health Promotion Pilot Project will be undertaken during Summer and Fall 1997. The health promotion campaign will be designed to assist veterans, non-veteran seniors and caregivers to adopt healthy lifestyles through better access to information and strengthening community partnerships. Enhanced health promotion activities targeting seniors will be developed in addition to continuing current provincial and federal government programs.
Veterans Affairs and the Department of Health and Social Services have already established communication with veterans', seniors' and health organizations to facilitate a presence among stakeholder groups under the umbrella of Health Promotion at many of the annual summer community events frequented by seniors which will lay the groundwork for development of a more extensive and comprehensive Health Promotion partnership campaign.
Copies of The PEI Seniors and Veterans Health Study Report and Highlights Brochure can be obtained from Veterans Affairs Canada at (902) 566-8677 or the PEI Department of Health and Social Services at (902) 368-6157.
Funding for the initiative was provided for in the 1997 federal budget and is therefore built into the existing fiscal framework. This initiative is an example of how this government is prioritizing its spending so that it can better serve Canadians by making efficient use of their tax dollars.
For more information or for copies of the health study, please contact Jean Doherty, PEI Department of Health and Social Services, (902) 368-6257.