BRINGING HEALTH CARE CLOSER TO HOME
The South Shuswap Health Services Society, SSHSS, works hard to provide a wide range of wellness services to meet the needs of all members of our community. The area includes areas C and G of the Columbia Shuswap Regional District. The population of the area demonstrates a strong, continual growth and while it has a significant senior population it is now becoming a desired community to live in by younger families who want to live outside of major centres. The communities in the South Shuswap surround the Shuswap Lake, offering wonderful views, a plethora of outdoor activities in all seasons, close contact with nature and a calming, safe environment to live in.
South Shuswap Health Services Society was established in 2013 with a vision of:
- Promoting and supporting sustainable health and medical services in our community.
- Promoting and supporting access to healthy living choices.
- Assisting seniors to stay in their homes and communities longer by encouraging age-friendly opportunities in our communities.
- Supporting a healthy built, community for everyone.
SSHSS is dedicated to supporting a healthy built community to support local groups working together to prevent disease and make healthy living options accessible.
Copper Island Seniors resource Centre opened in October 2014 in Blind Bay and has evolved to be Copper Island Health and Wellness Centre. Currently, it offers twice weekly mobile lab and ECG services, foot care services, vaccination and immunization services, individual counselling, including grief counselling, senior tax preparation, activities encouraging social interaction and networking, a wide variety of physical activities, continuously evolving educational programs focused on all areas of wellness seniors’ resources, opportunities for support groups to meet, and a location for IHA and paramedics to see patients. We are “Seniors Helping Seniors.”
Steps for Fitness is a very popular and successful program offered two days a week. Certified trainers provide support to seniors through assessment and training to assist in a journey to wellness and to being active.
“The walking programme offered on Monday and Thursday by SSHSS at the Shuswap Lake Centre is greatly appreciated. It gives the participants the opportunity to walk in a safe environment, especially during the winter months. Walking is a great form of exercise but can be a challenge in the winter due to ice on roads and trails. Other advantages included the guidance of qualified instructors who demonstrate the correct way to perform balance and strength exercises as well as walking with poles. As we all know one of the major causes of injuries in seniors is due to the loss of balance and strength.”
Our oldest participants are ninety-three, and the number using the program has increased to over twenty-five and growing. Many write to say their medical conditions have improved, along with their love of social interaction and increased movement.
The vision and long-term plan of SSHSS is to have a community health centre in the South Shuswap that provides primary and allied health care services to our communities “bringing health care closer to home.”
The success of Copper Island Health and Wellness Centre is due to the dedication of community volunteers and support from the communities we serve. SSHSS is funded through grants, fundraising, and memberships. Operations are not supported financially by government funding or users of the Centre.
With the current shortage of qualified primary care practitioners in our province, we have not been able to provide these services yet. It is very evident there is a need for more health services in the South Shuswap. Many patients are elderly with acute and chronic conditions that require immediate attention.
The Sorrento and Area Community Health Centre provides the services of two nurse practitioners to serve our communities. This model is working very well, and we are all thankful for their success. The population is growing and certainly currently exceeds 9,000 and increases in the summer. There is a need to expand health services for the population of the South Shuswap.
Efforts are being made to acknowledge that community-driven and supported Health Centres are being utilized to bring health care “closer to home” and provide support services to their communities. The BC Rural Health Network is working very hard to support the rural and remote communities by hearing their stories and putting forth solutions to the Provincial Government. The grassroots services closer to the population base will promote and prompt the use of medical and health services on a more regular basis, therefore improving the health of a community. A reduction oinf the use of emergency services will result in a significant cost reduction for hospitals and in turn taxpayers.
Regional Districts are not required to support health services in their communities. Incorporated communities do have provincial support and financial support. The disparity is evident in the Shuswap Communities. The BC Rural Health Network brings a unified voice to those who can be effective to the Rural Communities in British Columbia and propose and support changes that reduce the disparity in the governance process for unincorporated communities of BC.
We are proud to be a founding member of the BCRHN. The network has grown from those early times that are not that long ago! This collective voice led by a resolute team is making a difference to the rural communities of BC. A wonderful opportunity to collaborate, communicate and advocate. Thank you for your dedication, vision and continued support.
Sue McCrae
President, South Shuswap Health Services Society
DBA Copper Island Health and Wellness Centre
