Ottawa groups team up to bring medical services to seniors’ doorsteps
Breaking Down Health-Care Barriers for Seniors: Ottawa Groups Bring Medical Services to Doorsteps
In a groundbreaking effort to break down health-care barriers for seniors, several Ottawa groups have joined forces to bring medical services directly to their doorsteps. The Pinecrest-Queensway Community Health Centre, the Ottawa Paramedic Service, Ottawa Public Health, and drugstore chain Rexall recently hosted a wellness clinic at a condo building on Ambleside Drive, catering specifically to seniors living in the building.
The clinic offered a range of services, including medical assessments, referrals, and access to a nurse, physician, pharmacist, and paramedics all in one convenient location. This initiative aims to provide essential care for residents in their community and eliminate obstacles to accessing health care.
According to Marc-Antoine Deschamps from the Ottawa Paramedic Service, clinics like these can help alleviate the strain on local hospitals by addressing health concerns early on. By detecting issues such as high blood pressure or diabetes in their early stages, medical teams can prevent future emergency calls and free up space in emergency rooms.
Tamara Chipperfield, CEO of the Pinecrest-Queensway Community Health Centre, emphasized the importance of linking people to other services to reduce reliance on emergency rooms. Ruth Becker, a pharmacist at Rexall, highlighted the potential for these clinics to enable seniors to stay in their homes longer without needing additional assistance.
The clinic was inspired by a group of older adults living in neighbouring buildings on Ambleside Drive who were dissatisfied with the current health-care system. They collaborated with organizations like Oasis and CanAge to bring their vision to life and advocate for better access to health care for seniors.
Laura Tamblyn Watts, CEO of CanAge, stressed the need for a comprehensive community plan for health care to ensure that seniors have the resources they need to live healthy, fulfilling lives. While these clinics represent a positive step forward, Tamblyn Watts believes that more systemic changes are necessary to support the aging population effectively.
As we continue to address the unique health-care needs of seniors, initiatives like the wellness clinic on Ambleside Drive serve as a beacon of hope for a more inclusive and accessible health-care system. By prioritizing community-based care and proactive health management, we can empower seniors to age with dignity and independence in the comfort of their own homes.
