9 May 2024
13:00-15:00 ET
Virtual Meeting via Microsoft Teams
Care and Support Advisory Group Members
- Mary Boutette, The Perley and Rideau Veterans’ Health Centre (Member Co-Chair)
- Alexa Pasha, Royal Canadian Legion
- Sergeant (Retired) Andrea Newton
- Lieutenant Navy (Retired) Sylvain Bouliane, VeteransCanada.ca
- Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class (Retired) Debbie Eisan, Aboriginal Veterans Autochtones
- Second Lieutenant (Retired) Walter Callaghan, Department of Anthropology, University of Toronto
- Major (Retired) Jorma Hamalainen, NATO Veterans Organization of Canada
- Major (Retired) Bruce Henwood, National Council of Veteran Associations
Regrets
- Reverend Ken MacLaren
- Captain (Retired) Rod Holowaty, Zone Commander Legion District 3 Zone 1
- Marie-Andrée Malette, Canadian Caregivers Brigade
Office of the Minister of Veterans Affairs
- Jonathan Wiseman, Special Assistant, Office of the Minister of Veterans Affairs
Veterans Affairs Canada officials
- Jane Hicks, A/Director General, Service Delivery and Program Management (Veterans Affairs Canada Co-Chair)
- Mitch Freeman, Director General, Strategic Policy, Planning and Performance
- Lynne McCloskey, National Manager, Long Term Care and Veterans Independence Programs
- Gladys Bradley, Strategic Advisor, Service Delivery and Program Management
- Kristy McGuigan, Senior Advisor, Community Engagement
- Megan MacKinnon, Program Operations Assistant, Community Engagement
Observer
- Brownwyn Rodd, Office of the Veterans Ombud
Presenters
- Dr. Kimberly Ritchie, Graduate Program Director, Trent University, School of Nursing
Welcome and Opening Remarks
The VAC Co-Chair welcomed the Advisory Group members and presenters, outlined the meeting agenda, and reviewed the Minister’s Mandate Letter Commitments.
Land Acknowledgement
The VAC Co-Chair gave a land acknowledgement indicating that she is located on the traditional and unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishinabe Nation. She recognized the importance of their connection to this land, their cultural heritage and their ongoing contributions to our community.
Presentation: Continuity of Care
Dr. Kimberly Ritchie gave a presentation on the Continuity of Care. The presentation highlighted health and well-being complexities among older Veterans, gaps in research and healthcare, and the opportunities to enhance supports and services. The challenges and complexities discussed include the following:
- The lifelong effects of military service on Veterans. They are more likely to have poor physical and mental health, and chronic conditions compared to the general Canadian population.
- Demographic changes among Canadian Veterans. There is an increasing number of Veterans reaching older adulthood and greater diversity among Veterans.
- As Veterans get older, symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can become more severe and often triggers such as physical illness or cognitive impairment, cannot be avoided. Research suggests that PTSD and dementia have a bidirectional relationship.
- Changes in the long term care program. Due to changes, current and future Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) Veterans will be more likely to live in community long term care facilities, resulting in loss of the Veteran culture and a reduced familiarity of health risks (e.g., PTSD) by health care providers.
The gaps include lack of research and knowledge relating to health-related needs, risks and experiences of older Veterans in Canada, lack of supports to address more complex needs of older Veterans and lack of knowledge and training among health care providers for Veterans health.
The opportunities to enhance supports and services include conducting additional research, identifying necessary supports and programs for older Veterans, and developing education and training for healthcare providers to increase their knowledge of older Veterans, using military/Veteran cultural competencies.
After the presentation, the group had a robust discussion about the need for flexibility, the importance of caregivers, the transitional period between home and long-term care, and the significance of considering Veterans at an earlier age. They also mentioned other challenges may include past history of improper medical treatment and environmental exposure.
Presentation: Aging in Place
Mitch Freeman provided the group with an update on VAC's examination of Aging in Place. The landscape of support for older Veterans has evolved, making the programs established by VAC years ago less effective. VAC is currently investigating these changes and exploring solutions. Mitch proposed the group consider the following prompting questions when looking at this topic:
- Life course – At what age does this start and how do the Veterans needs change as they age? Can VAC create agile programing that is responsive over a Veterans life course?
- Service relationship – Is there a need for a service relationship? Should priority be given to Veterans of theatre of war compared to Veterans who do not have this service experience? Does there need to be a service relationship?
- The overlay with the healthcare system within the Provincial jurisdiction – How does the Federal Government support Veterans with healthcare delivery that falls under Provincial jurisdiction and may vary between provinces?
- Integration of family – From a family perspective, what supports need to be in place?
- Priority Access – Priority access versus supporting a Veteran in a long-term care facility. How would priority be assigned? Is it needs based, or based on entitlement?
Presentation: Veterans Independence Program (VIP) Benefits and Services
Lynne McCloskey joined the meeting to present on the Veterans Independence Program. The program was established in 1981 and offers financial support to Veterans toward the cost of services that assist with keeping the Veteran in their home and improve the quality of life for Veterans and their families. The presentation highlighted the eligibility criteria and the nine elements of the program. These elements include: grounds maintenance, housekeeping, personal care, access to nutrition health and support services, ambulatory health care, transportation services, home adaptions and intermediate care.
Following the presentation, the group discussed special cases and circumstances, and the importance of using language that reflect the services being provided.
Approval of previous Record of Discussion
The 25 April record of discussion was tabled. The VAC Co-Chair advised the members to provide any concerns by end of day on 10 May. No concerns were raised, so ROD is considered approved.
Next Steps and Closing Remarks
The VAC Co-Chair expressed gratitude toward the presenters for their informative presentations. The next virtual meeting is scheduled for 23 May and will focus on the recommendations. The recommendations are due at the end of May, and will be circulated to the group for approvals before this time. The VAC Co-Chair advised that Linda Lander has resigned. She expressed appreciation for Linda’s views and support. The VAC Co-Chair thanked the group for the great discussion and will share today’s presentations, the life course trajectory document and the Minister’s mandate commitments with the group.