the get started one of the things that is clear to me today as it was the day
is clear to me today as it was the day
is clear to me today as it was the day it happened to me while I was in high
it happened to me while I was in high
it happened to me while I was in high school there was a knock on the door at
school there was a knock on the door at
school there was a knock on the door at the classroom and it was my sister’s
the classroom and it was my sister’s
the classroom and it was my sister’s boyfriend standing at the door not
boyfriend standing at the door not
boyfriend standing at the door not something that you would expect at st.
something that you would expect at st.
something that you would expect at st. Pius the tenth high school in Ottawa and
Pius the tenth high school in Ottawa and
Pius the tenth high school in Ottawa and he said come in the hallway I have
he said come in the hallway I have
he said come in the hallway I have something to tell you and what he told
something to tell you and what he told
something to tell you and what he told me is awkward as I felt in that same
me is awkward as I felt in that same
me is awkward as I felt in that same moment was that my father had had a
moment was that my father had had a
moment was that my father had had a cardiac arrest he was on sparks Street
cardiac arrest he was on sparks Street
cardiac arrest he was on sparks Street he was coming out of Court where he was
he was coming out of Court where he was
he was coming out of Court where he was doing some business and at that time in
doing some business and at that time in
doing some business and at that time in the elevator
the elevator
the elevator he went into sudden cardiac arrest he
he went into sudden cardiac arrest he
he went into sudden cardiac arrest he had received CPR in those days there was
had received CPR in those days there was
had received CPR in those days there was no such thing as an automated external
no such thing as an automated external
no such thing as an automated external defibrillator in the community so the
defibrillator in the community so the
defibrillator in the community so the paramedics arrived continued that CPR
paramedics arrived continued that CPR
paramedics arrived continued that CPR and somewhere between there and the
and somewhere between there and the
and somewhere between there and the Civic Hospital I later found out that he
Civic Hospital I later found out that he
Civic Hospital I later found out that he was resuscitated and revived really
was resuscitated and revived really
was resuscitated and revived really miraculous in its own way and certainly
miraculous in its own way and certainly
miraculous in its own way and certainly something that has been indelible in my
something that has been indelible in my
something that has been indelible in my memory and something that has shaped my
memory and something that has shaped my
memory and something that has shaped my career and in fact many of my passions
career and in fact many of my passions
career and in fact many of my passions professionally I was then taken to the
professionally I was then taken to the
professionally I was then taken to the hospital where of course of those days
hospital where of course of those days
hospital where of course of those days we weren’t allowed anywhere near him
we weren’t allowed anywhere near him
we weren’t allowed anywhere near him while he was being treated and in the
while he was being treated and in the
while he was being treated and in the days and weeks to follow as a
days and weeks to follow as a
days and weeks to follow as a fifteen-year-old kid I learned what it
fifteen-year-old kid I learned what it
fifteen-year-old kid I learned what it meant to feel helpless to almost lose a
meant to feel helpless to almost lose a
meant to feel helpless to almost lose a parent and I’m sure many of you have
parent and I’m sure many of you have
parent and I’m sure many of you have felt that way and in your own lives the
felt that way and in your own lives the
felt that way and in your own lives the vulnerability that comes with those
vulnerability that comes with those
vulnerability that comes with those feelings is one of the things that
feelings is one of the things that
feelings is one of the things that certainly has inspired me to chart a
certainly has inspired me to chart a
certainly has inspired me to chart a course if you will in my own in my own
course if you will in my own in my own
course if you will in my own in my own profession and in my own life in doing
profession and in my own life in doing
profession and in my own life in doing that we I’m the youngest of eight
that we I’m the youngest of eight
that we I’m the youngest of eight children and so I have six sisters and
children and so I have six sisters and
children and so I have six sisters and one brother and my mother we all were
one brother and my mother we all were
one brother and my mother we all were instructed to go and take a CPR course
instructed to go and take a CPR course
instructed to go and take a CPR course so we all went took a CPR course kind of
so we all went took a CPR course kind of
so we all went took a CPR course kind of in the hopes that if it happened again
in the hopes that if it happened again
in the hopes that if it happened again because in those days sudden cardiac
because in those days sudden cardiac
because in those days sudden cardiac arrest was lesser known than it is today
arrest was lesser known than it is today
arrest was lesser known than it is today if it happened again hopefully one of us
if it happened again hopefully one of us
if it happened again hopefully one of us would be around and be able to receive
would be around and be able to receive
would be around and be able to receive that same life-saving intervention that
that same life-saving intervention that
that same life-saving intervention that he was lucky enough to receive on sparc
he was lucky enough to receive on sparc
he was lucky enough to receive on sparc Street the challenge though associated
Street the challenge though associated
Street the challenge though associated with those types of feelings
with those types of feelings
with those types of feelings as a young man was that you then had
as a young man was that you then had
as a young man was that you then had this vulnerability that really sticks to
this vulnerability that really sticks to
this vulnerability that really sticks to you though those Teflon years of of
you though those Teflon years of of
you though those Teflon years of of adolescence really were quite an
adolescence really were quite an
adolescence really were quite an awakening for me and the challenges
awakening for me and the challenges
awakening for me and the challenges associated with that I found was that it
associated with that I found was that it
associated with that I found was that it really set me on a path whereby I never
really set me on a path whereby I never
really set me on a path whereby I never wanted to feel that way again so I found
wanted to feel that way again so I found
wanted to feel that way again so I found myself leaving high school and entering
myself leaving high school and entering
myself leaving high school and entering Algonquin College in Ottawa taking the
Algonquin College in Ottawa taking the
Algonquin College in Ottawa taking the paramedic program that for me was one
paramedic program that for me was one
paramedic program that for me was one way of dealing with that same feeling of
way of dealing with that same feeling of
way of dealing with that same feeling of disempowerment I could learn life-saving
disempowerment I could learn life-saving
disempowerment I could learn life-saving skills perhaps I could get a job in this
skills perhaps I could get a job in this
skills perhaps I could get a job in this field working as a paramedic having the
field working as a paramedic having the
field working as a paramedic having the ability not only to feel more in control
ability not only to feel more in control
ability not only to feel more in control more ready no matter what happened but
more ready no matter what happened but
more ready no matter what happened but also to be able to give back give back
also to be able to give back give back
also to be able to give back give back to a city to a community that gave me a
to a city to a community that gave me a
to a city to a community that gave me a second chance with my own father and for
second chance with my own father and for
second chance with my own father and for those months and years after his cardiac
those months and years after his cardiac
those months and years after his cardiac arrest he had a full recovery which is
arrest he had a full recovery which is
arrest he had a full recovery which is quite miraculous really if you think
quite miraculous really if you think
quite miraculous really if you think about it but what happened to me was
about it but what happened to me was
about it but what happened to me was that I became the guy who had done this
that I became the guy who had done this
that I became the guy who had done this done the CPR program was thinking about
done the CPR program was thinking about
done the CPR program was thinking about becoming a paramedic so I had to walk
becoming a paramedic so I had to walk
becoming a paramedic so I had to walk around the block with him morning noon
around the block with him morning noon
around the block with him morning noon and night because those were doctor’s
and night because those were doctor’s
and night because those were doctor’s orders there was no such thing as an
orders there was no such thing as an
orders there was no such thing as an implanted pacemaker or defibrillator it
implanted pacemaker or defibrillator it
implanted pacemaker or defibrillator it was we’re not quite sure what happened
was we’re not quite sure what happened
was we’re not quite sure what happened we’re not quite sure if it’s gonna
we’re not quite sure if it’s gonna
we’re not quite sure if it’s gonna happen again but for a man who was 6
happen again but for a man who was 6
happen again but for a man who was 6 foot 2 and incredibly physically fits a
foot 2 and incredibly physically fits a
foot 2 and incredibly physically fits a veteran himself somebody that I thought
veteran himself somebody that I thought
veteran himself somebody that I thought a lot about yesterday he was told to
a lot about yesterday he was told to
a lot about yesterday he was told to March but he would never March more than
March but he would never March more than
March but he would never March more than about a few hundred meters from our
about a few hundred meters from our
about a few hundred meters from our house so the circle that we lived in
house so the circle that we lived in
house so the circle that we lived in became his track and for many years he
became his track and for many years he
became his track and for many years he wouldn’t go out for that walk unless one
wouldn’t go out for that walk unless one
wouldn’t go out for that walk unless one of us was with him those are life
of us was with him those are life
of us was with him those are life lessons that sent me on a course where
lessons that sent me on a course where
lessons that sent me on a course where by working as a paramedic then became
by working as a paramedic then became
by working as a paramedic then became kind of very satisfying and not only was
kind of very satisfying and not only was
kind of very satisfying and not only was I able to help him I was able to help
I able to help him I was able to help
I able to help him I was able to help myself and give back to the community so
myself and give back to the community so
myself and give back to the community so I spent many years as many paramedics
I spent many years as many paramedics
I spent many years as many paramedics have working in an ambulance working on
have working in an ambulance working on
have working in an ambulance working on a helicopter I was a critical-care
a helicopter I was a critical-care
a helicopter I was a critical-care flight paramedic in the north
flight paramedic in the north
flight paramedic in the north spent many years teaching in a classroom
spent many years teaching in a classroom
spent many years teaching in a classroom at Holland College in Prince Edward
at Holland College in Prince Edward
at Holland College in Prince Edward Island and I was fortunate enough to
Island and I was fortunate enough to
Island and I was fortunate enough to come back to the Ottawa Valley I was the
come back to the Ottawa Valley I was the
come back to the Ottawa Valley I was the deputy chief for the Ottawa paramedic
deputy chief for the Ottawa paramedic
deputy chief for the Ottawa paramedic service and more recently last 12 years
service and more recently last 12 years
service and more recently last 12 years the chief and Renford County what those
the chief and Renford County what those
the chief and Renford County what those years have have taught me about what a
years have have taught me about what a
years have have taught me about what a paramedic has to offer really shouldn’t
paramedic has to offer really shouldn’t
paramedic has to offer really shouldn’t start when something bad happens to
start when something bad happens to
start when something bad happens to someone else when something bad happens
someone else when something bad happens
someone else when something bad happens and the tones go off or the pager goes
and the tones go off or the pager goes
and the tones go off or the pager goes off and the ambulance has to go rushing
off and the ambulance has to go rushing
off and the ambulance has to go rushing down the road at the paramedics in it in
down the road at the paramedics in it in
down the road at the paramedics in it in many respects it’s already too late
many respects it’s already too late
many respects it’s already too late because we start measuring ourselves at
because we start measuring ourselves at
because we start measuring ourselves at that point in minutes and seconds
that point in minutes and seconds
that point in minutes and seconds thinking that that’s what’s going to
thinking that that’s what’s going to
thinking that that’s what’s going to make the difference and we know that it
make the difference and we know that it
make the difference and we know that it did for my own father but will it make
did for my own father but will it make
did for my own father but will it make the difference for each of you in that
the difference for each of you in that
the difference for each of you in that time of need and we started to advance
time of need and we started to advance
time of need and we started to advance in technology automated external
in technology automated external
in technology automated external defibrillators are now hanging in the
defibrillators are now hanging in the
defibrillators are now hanging in the hallway here in rinks throughout the
hallway here in rinks throughout the
hallway here in rinks throughout the county we’ve placed over 240 of them
county we’ve placed over 240 of them
county we’ve placed over 240 of them throughout Renfrew County we have
throughout Renfrew County we have
throughout Renfrew County we have paramedics working at the advanced level
paramedics working at the advanced level
paramedics working at the advanced level they can start IVs they can intubate
they can start IVs they can intubate
they can start IVs they can intubate they can give you most of the drugs
they can give you most of the drugs
they can give you most of the drugs you’d get in the emergency department at
you’d get in the emergency department at
you’d get in the emergency department at the hospital so we’ve really changed our
the hospital so we’ve really changed our
the hospital so we’ve really changed our practice environment and we’ve changed
practice environment and we’ve changed
practice environment and we’ve changed our practice but the opportunity then as
our practice but the opportunity then as
our practice but the opportunity then as I moved back to Ottawa was to learn a
I moved back to Ottawa was to learn a
I moved back to Ottawa was to learn a little bit more not only about cardiac
little bit more not only about cardiac
little bit more not only about cardiac arrest and resuscitation and the things
arrest and resuscitation and the things
arrest and resuscitation and the things that I went to school for thinking that
that I went to school for thinking that
that I went to school for thinking that they would make me feel more prepared
they would make me feel more prepared
they would make me feel more prepared for life and I can say for 20 years I
for life and I can say for 20 years I
for life and I can say for 20 years I felt very prepared as a paramedic
felt very prepared as a paramedic
felt very prepared as a paramedic serving the community no matter what you
serving the community no matter what you
serving the community no matter what you could throw at me I felt very
could throw at me I felt very
could throw at me I felt very comfortable that I could give it your
comfortable that I could give it your
comfortable that I could give it your give it the best give you the best
give it the best give you the best
give it the best give you the best chance of survival and you’ve got
chance of survival and you’ve got
chance of survival and you’ve got fantastic paramedics here and rent for
fantastic paramedics here and rent for
fantastic paramedics here and rent for counties that are dedicated to those
counties that are dedicated to those
counties that are dedicated to those very important life-saving skills but I
very important life-saving skills but I
very important life-saving skills but I can also tell you that I learned an
can also tell you that I learned an
can also tell you that I learned an incredible amount from my mother and I’m
incredible amount from my mother and I’m
incredible amount from my mother and I’m sure most of you here have had a mother
sure most of you here have had a mother
sure most of you here have had a mother at one time in life right anybody here
at one time in life right anybody here
at one time in life right anybody here not have a mother at one time in life no
not have a mother at one time in life no
not have a mother at one time in life no so you probably understand a little bit
so you probably understand a little bit
so you probably understand a little bit of what I’m talking about in terms of
of what I’m talking about in terms of
of what I’m talking about in terms of the influence that they can have over
the influence that they can have over
the influence that they can have over your personal your professional life
your personal your professional life
your personal your professional life your spiritual life they kind of reach
your spiritual life they kind of reach
your spiritual life they kind of reach right inside you and
right inside you and
right inside you and lessons don’t they well my mother this
lessons don’t they well my mother this
lessons don’t they well my mother this is a picture of my mother I did it’s not
is a picture of my mother I did it’s not
is a picture of my mother I did it’s not a copyrighted photo or anything to worry
a copyrighted photo or anything to worry
a copyrighted photo or anything to worry about
about
about this is my mom and my mom grew up during
this is my mom and my mom grew up during
this is my mom and my mom grew up during the war in England and she had asthma
the war in England and she had asthma
the war in England and she had asthma much like our earlier speaker but in
much like our earlier speaker but in
much like our earlier speaker but in those days they used to treat asthma
those days they used to treat asthma
those days they used to treat asthma with smoke from the fireplace there was
with smoke from the fireplace there was
with smoke from the fireplace there was smoke treatment and in fact cigarettes
smoke treatment and in fact cigarettes
smoke treatment and in fact cigarettes were one of the early forms of treatment
were one of the early forms of treatment
were one of the early forms of treatment for asthma he didn’t hear the wheezes
for asthma he didn’t hear the wheezes
for asthma he didn’t hear the wheezes because you weren’t moving that much air
because you weren’t moving that much air
because you weren’t moving that much air right they used to put mustard paste on
right they used to put mustard paste on
right they used to put mustard paste on her chest right and tell her to calm
her chest right and tell her to calm
her chest right and tell her to calm down so she had a real panic a real
down so she had a real panic a real
down so she had a real panic a real anxiety related to that feeling of
anxiety related to that feeling of
anxiety related to that feeling of shortness of breath well after my father
shortness of breath well after my father
shortness of breath well after my father died in his 80s so luckily we got him
died in his 80s so luckily we got him
died in his 80s so luckily we got him from his 60s to his 80s and he died a
from his 60s to his 80s and he died a
from his 60s to his 80s and he died a very natural and peaceful death the way
very natural and peaceful death the way
very natural and peaceful death the way that I think most of us would want to
that I think most of us would want to
that I think most of us would want to pass on in our years but what my mother
pass on in our years but what my mother
pass on in our years but what my mother was experiencing was not only COPD or
was experiencing was not only COPD or
was experiencing was not only COPD or breathing problems in advanced age she
breathing problems in advanced age she
breathing problems in advanced age she was also legally blind with macular
was also legally blind with macular
was also legally blind with macular degeneration she was a bit of a Spitfire
degeneration she was a bit of a Spitfire
degeneration she was a bit of a Spitfire I you know I can’t tell a lie she was
I you know I can’t tell a lie she was
I you know I can’t tell a lie she was quick to share her opinion but when she
quick to share her opinion but when she
quick to share her opinion but when she believed in something she was full-on
believed in something she was full-on
believed in something she was full-on believing in something and I’d like to
believing in something and I’d like to
believing in something and I’d like to think that she gave me a little bit of
think that she gave me a little bit of
think that she gave me a little bit of that that oomph if you will in life but
that that oomph if you will in life but
that that oomph if you will in life but when we moved both my mother and my
when we moved both my mother and my
when we moved both my mother and my father into a retirement home in Ottawa
father into a retirement home in Ottawa
father into a retirement home in Ottawa and after my father died my mother
and after my father died my mother
and after my father died my mother insisted on staying in a two-room
insisted on staying in a two-room
insisted on staying in a two-room apartment within that seniors home which
apartment within that seniors home which
apartment within that seniors home which is a little bit uncharacteristic because
is a little bit uncharacteristic because
is a little bit uncharacteristic because really it was just a duplicate of the
really it was just a duplicate of the
really it was just a duplicate of the other room and there was no need to have
other room and there was no need to have
other room and there was no need to have two rooms but she absolutely insisted
two rooms but she absolutely insisted
two rooms but she absolutely insisted that she have both of those rooms so
that she have both of those rooms so
that she have both of those rooms so that she could continue to have the
that she could continue to have the
that she could continue to have the ladies over for tea on Monday Wednesday
ladies over for tea on Monday Wednesday
ladies over for tea on Monday Wednesday and Friday
and Friday
and Friday and when we pressed her on it because
and when we pressed her on it because
and when we pressed her on it because it’s nude no cheap proposition to keep
it’s nude no cheap proposition to keep
it’s nude no cheap proposition to keep her going with two rooms in a in a large
her going with two rooms in a in a large
her going with two rooms in a in a large seniors complex in Ottawa but when she
seniors complex in Ottawa but when she
seniors complex in Ottawa but when she insisted on having that second room she
insisted on having that second room she
insisted on having that second room she said you wouldn’t believe all of the
said you wouldn’t believe all of the
said you wouldn’t believe all of the people that live here that never have
people that live here that never have
people that live here that never have anyone that come to visit them that
anyone that come to visit them that
anyone that come to visit them that don’t care enough to stop by or come by
don’t care enough to stop by or come by
don’t care enough to stop by or come by and have a chat with them so I want to
and have a chat with them so I want to
and have a chat with them so I want to have that room
have that room
have that room so that my girls as she used to call
so that my girls as she used to call
so that my girls as she used to call them would have the ability to come over
them would have the ability to come over
them would have the ability to come over and be together because the thought of
and be together because the thought of
and be together because the thought of them sitting at home alone and lonely
them sitting at home alone and lonely
them sitting at home alone and lonely was heartbreaking to her so I learned
was heartbreaking to her so I learned
was heartbreaking to her so I learned many lessons from her over those years
many lessons from her over those years
many lessons from her over those years but as I started to transition I then
but as I started to transition I then
but as I started to transition I then started to appreciate greater as a
started to appreciate greater as a
started to appreciate greater as a paramedic what that could possibly mean
paramedic what that could possibly mean
paramedic what that could possibly mean in paramedicine
in paramedicine
in paramedicine so we had an idea I had an idea and I’ll
so we had an idea I had an idea and I’ll
so we had an idea I had an idea and I’ll give full credit to my own mother and
give full credit to my own mother and
give full credit to my own mother and that are really principles and values
that are really principles and values
that are really principles and values that she shared with me but the idea was
that she shared with me but the idea was
that she shared with me but the idea was how can we guess all 50,000 paramedics
how can we guess all 50,000 paramedics
how can we guess all 50,000 paramedics in Canada with a greater sense of
in Canada with a greater sense of
in Canada with a greater sense of awareness about the impacts of
awareness about the impacts of
awareness about the impacts of loneliness and isolation in terms of
loneliness and isolation in terms of
loneliness and isolation in terms of their health it’s actually a
their health it’s actually a
their health it’s actually a little-known fact that it has a
little-known fact that it has a
little-known fact that it has a significant impact not only on your
significant impact not only on your
significant impact not only on your mental health but also on your physical
mental health but also on your physical
mental health but also on your physical health so how can we get these boots on
health so how can we get these boots on
health so how can we get these boots on the ground paramedics in every community
the ground paramedics in every community
the ground paramedics in every community large and small in Canada recognizing
large and small in Canada recognizing
large and small in Canada recognizing that when they go into someone’s home
that when they go into someone’s home
that when they go into someone’s home perhaps after something bad has happened
perhaps after something bad has happened
perhaps after something bad has happened that we don’t let that person go home
that we don’t let that person go home
that we don’t let that person go home now until they have the necessities of
now until they have the necessities of
now until they have the necessities of life to be able to adequately care for
life to be able to adequately care for
life to be able to adequately care for themselves and furthermore how can we
themselves and furthermore how can we
themselves and furthermore how can we connect them with community and social
connect them with community and social
connect them with community and social services that allow them to remain
services that allow them to remain
services that allow them to remain connected in the community so this
connected in the community so this
connected in the community so this notion that that we call community
notion that that we call community
notion that that we call community paramedicine is something that is grown
paramedicine is something that is grown
paramedicine is something that is grown out of Renfrew County and is now in fact
out of Renfrew County and is now in fact
out of Renfrew County and is now in fact happening in eight out of ten provinces
happening in eight out of ten provinces
happening in eight out of ten provinces in Canada there are over a hundred and
in Canada there are over a hundred and
in Canada there are over a hundred and sixty programs in the United States we
sixty programs in the United States we
sixty programs in the United States we now have programs in Australia New
now have programs in Australia New
now have programs in Australia New Zealand in Scotland in England and
Zealand in Scotland in England and
Zealand in Scotland in England and they’ve taken shades of the experience
they’ve taken shades of the experience
they’ve taken shades of the experience that we’ve had here in Renford County so
that we’ve had here in Renford County so
that we’ve had here in Renford County so again we have a community of need we
again we have a community of need we
again we have a community of need we have a hundred thousand souls in rent
have a hundred thousand souls in rent
have a hundred thousand souls in rent for County right we have over 14 million
for County right we have over 14 million
for County right we have over 14 million older adults in Canada but we also know
older adults in Canada but we also know
older adults in Canada but we also know that 30% of those older adults
that 30% of those older adults
that 30% of those older adults self-report to be socially isolated and
self-report to be socially isolated and
self-report to be socially isolated and I want to make a point clear for you
I want to make a point clear for you
I want to make a point clear for you socially isolated and loneliness can be
socially isolated and loneliness can be
socially isolated and loneliness can be used interchangeably you can be living
used interchangeably you can be living
used interchangeably you can be living with someone and feel socially isolated
with someone and feel socially isolated
with someone and feel socially isolated right it has to do with the quality and
right it has to do with the quality and
right it has to do with the quality and the quantity of the relationship and how
the quantity of the relationship and how
the quantity of the relationship and how fulfilling that is for you so just
fulfilling that is for you so just
fulfilling that is for you so just because you have people around doesn’t
because you have people around doesn’t
because you have people around doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re being
necessarily mean that you’re being
necessarily mean that you’re being satisfied in terms of your own emotional
satisfied in terms of your own emotional
satisfied in terms of your own emotional needs so someone who has a personal
needs so someone who has a personal
needs so someone who has a personal support worker who comes and goes and is
support worker who comes and goes and is
support worker who comes and goes and is doing a fantastic job in their home
doing a fantastic job in their home
doing a fantastic job in their home doesn’t count as someone who is working
doesn’t count as someone who is working
doesn’t count as someone who is working towards reducing someone’s social
towards reducing someone’s social
towards reducing someone’s social isolation so what we did here in Redford
isolation so what we did here in Redford
isolation so what we did here in Redford County with this idea was we used
County with this idea was we used
County with this idea was we used paramedics we fantastic paramedics here
paramedics we fantastic paramedics here
paramedics we fantastic paramedics here in Hartford County we took that idea and
in Hartford County we took that idea and
in Hartford County we took that idea and we said instead of just waiting for the
we said instead of just waiting for the
we said instead of just waiting for the phone to ring would you be interested if
phone to ring would you be interested if
phone to ring would you be interested if we gave you a list of clients to go and
we gave you a list of clients to go and
we gave you a list of clients to go and knock on their door because we know that
knock on their door because we know that
knock on their door because we know that they live alone we know that they may be
they live alone we know that they may be
they live alone we know that they may be at a risk for fall we may know that they
at a risk for fall we may know that they
at a risk for fall we may know that they have chronic health disease issues that
have chronic health disease issues that
have chronic health disease issues that you can help coach them through but
you can help coach them through but
you can help coach them through but would you take that list go and knock on
would you take that list go and knock on
would you take that list go and knock on their door and have a cup of tea with
their door and have a cup of tea with
their door and have a cup of tea with them like the ladies did with my mother
them like the ladies did with my mother
them like the ladies did with my mother take the time in between emergency calls
take the time in between emergency calls
take the time in between emergency calls to be able to do that to satisfy this
to be able to do that to satisfy this
to be able to do that to satisfy this need that is starkly missing in our
need that is starkly missing in our
need that is starkly missing in our society today we have paramedics we now
society today we have paramedics we now
society today we have paramedics we now have over 550 clients in Renford County
have over 550 clients in Renford County
have over 550 clients in Renford County who have signed up for this program so
who have signed up for this program so
who have signed up for this program so the paramedics can go in help them
the paramedics can go in help them
the paramedics can go in help them perhaps with their breathing problems or
perhaps with their breathing problems or
perhaps with their breathing problems or their high blood pressure but more
their high blood pressure but more
their high blood pressure but more importantly spend the time with them to
importantly spend the time with them to
importantly spend the time with them to make sure that they have the contact
make sure that they have the contact
make sure that they have the contact that they need so they can express how
that they need so they can express how
that they need so they can express how they’re feeling so that they can
they’re feeling so that they can
they’re feeling so that they can actually continue to live in the manner
actually continue to live in the manner
actually continue to live in the manner in which they intend so this concept
in which they intend so this concept
in which they intend so this concept where we started with a community
where we started with a community
where we started with a community paramedic we then worked in Northrend
paramedic we then worked in Northrend
paramedic we then worked in Northrend for long-term care and we took the
for long-term care and we took the
for long-term care and we took the waiting list for long-term care and we
waiting list for long-term care and we
waiting list for long-term care and we went to their homes and we studied that
went to their homes and we studied that
went to their homes and we studied that for three years and we know working in
for three years and we know working in
for three years and we know working in cooperation with North Renfrew long-term
cooperation with North Renfrew long-term
cooperation with North Renfrew long-term care by bringing them into the day
care by bringing them into the day
care by bringing them into the day program making sure that they’re
program making sure that they’re
program making sure that they’re socially connected that we’ve reduced
socially connected that we’ve reduced
socially connected that we’ve reduced their use of the hospital the emergency
their use of the hospital the emergency
their use of the hospital the emergency department and 911 over 50 percent right
department and 911 over 50 percent right
department and 911 over 50 percent right we often scramble how can we make a 1
we often scramble how can we make a 1
we often scramble how can we make a 1 percent gain in health care how can we
percent gain in health care how can we
percent gain in health care how can we reduce wait times how can we improve
reduce wait times how can we improve
reduce wait times how can we improve services 50 percent reduction by keeping
services 50 percent reduction by keeping
services 50 percent reduction by keeping them in their own home on their own
them in their own home on their own
them in their own home on their own terms
terms
terms and making sure that they have the
and making sure that they have the
and making sure that they have the contact and the support that they need
contact and the support that they need
contact and the support that they need to live the life that they want this is
to live the life that they want this is
to live the life that they want this is a huge success story from right here in
a huge success story from right here in
a huge success story from right here in Renford County but not only does it
Renford County but not only does it
Renford County but not only does it apply to rural Canada we have programs
apply to rural Canada we have programs
apply to rural Canada we have programs in downtown Toronto we have programs in
in downtown Toronto we have programs in
in downtown Toronto we have programs in downtown Vancouver Halifax is leading
downtown Vancouver Halifax is leading
downtown Vancouver Halifax is leading community paramedic programs and this is
community paramedic programs and this is
community paramedic programs and this is a significant advancement this is a
a significant advancement this is a
a significant advancement this is a friend of mine bill Everett he’s one of
friend of mine bill Everett he’s one of
friend of mine bill Everett he’s one of the supervisors in British Columbia one
the supervisors in British Columbia one
the supervisors in British Columbia one of the champions of this program their
of the champions of this program their
of the champions of this program their government just spent 18 million dollars
government just spent 18 million dollars
government just spent 18 million dollars and created almost a hundred full-time
and created almost a hundred full-time
and created almost a hundred full-time positions dedicated to addressing this
positions dedicated to addressing this
positions dedicated to addressing this need in the community it hits home in a
need in the community it hits home in a
need in the community it hits home in a number of different ways because I’m
number of different ways because I’m
number of different ways because I’m sure many of you in the audience today
sure many of you in the audience today
sure many of you in the audience today have had a loved one perhaps an older
have had a loved one perhaps an older
have had a loved one perhaps an older loved one that have said would you mind
loved one that have said would you mind
loved one that have said would you mind dropping by it would be really nice to
dropping by it would be really nice to
dropping by it would be really nice to get a little bit of time with you and
get a little bit of time with you and
get a little bit of time with you and I’m not here to give you a guilt trip
I’m not here to give you a guilt trip
I’m not here to give you a guilt trip but at the end of the day it actually
but at the end of the day it actually
but at the end of the day it actually matters to them and has a consequence to
matters to them and has a consequence to
matters to them and has a consequence to their physical health and these are
their physical health and these are
their physical health and these are really important concepts that it that I
really important concepts that it that I
really important concepts that it that I really am speaking in many respects on
really am speaking in many respects on
really am speaking in many respects on their behalf because these people that
their behalf because these people that
their behalf because these people that can’t speak for themselves or perhaps
can’t speak for themselves or perhaps
can’t speak for themselves or perhaps they phone you and ask you to drop by or
they phone you and ask you to drop by or
they phone you and ask you to drop by or they want to have a ride so that they
they want to have a ride so that they
they want to have a ride so that they could go to euchre or play bingo or do
could go to euchre or play bingo or do
could go to euchre or play bingo or do other activities actually matter in very
other activities actually matter in very
other activities actually matter in very meaningful ways the International
meaningful ways the International
meaningful ways the International Federation of aging report has outlined
Federation of aging report has outlined
Federation of aging report has outlined that this is the number one issue that’s
that this is the number one issue that’s
that this is the number one issue that’s emerging facing seniors these are
emerging facing seniors these are
emerging facing seniors these are significant consequences because the
significant consequences because the
significant consequences because the both the quality and the quantity of
both the quality and the quantity of
both the quality and the quantity of those relationships is fundamental in
those relationships is fundamental in
those relationships is fundamental in terms of that person’s mental and
terms of that person’s mental and
terms of that person’s mental and physical health and when we look at that
physical health and when we look at that
physical health and when we look at that it has a direct impact on both morbidity
it has a direct impact on both morbidity
it has a direct impact on both morbidity and mortality it has an impact on
and mortality it has an impact on
and mortality it has an impact on disease and death so what what’s
disease and death so what what’s
disease and death so what what’s typically considered a nicety sure and I
typically considered a nicety sure and I
typically considered a nicety sure and I was certainly guilty of it with my own
was certainly guilty of it with my own
was certainly guilty of it with my own parents oh yeah yeah I know I’ll drop by
parents oh yeah yeah I know I’ll drop by
parents oh yeah yeah I know I’ll drop by no I’ve gotten a little bit busier you
no I’ve gotten a little bit busier you
no I’ve gotten a little bit busier you know the cat’s in the cradle kind of
know the cat’s in the cradle kind of
know the cat’s in the cradle kind of issue that we’re dealing with you know
issue that we’re dealing with you know
issue that we’re dealing with you know you put it off to next week or oh it’s
you put it off to next week or oh it’s
you put it off to next week or oh it’s great that your neighbors popping by to
great that your neighbors popping by to
great that your neighbors popping by to see you but are those really meaningful
see you but are those really meaningful
see you but are those really meaningful conversations are those the interactions
conversations are those the interactions
conversations are those the interactions that will keep you out of harm’s way we
that will keep you out of harm’s way we
that will keep you out of harm’s way we know
know
know as a matter of fact that social
as a matter of fact that social
as a matter of fact that social isolation increases the risk of
isolation increases the risk of
isolation increases the risk of inflammation by the same amount as not
inflammation by the same amount as not
inflammation by the same amount as not exercising this is a very important
exercising this is a very important
exercising this is a very important concept because we actually measured in
concept because we actually measured in
concept because we actually measured in patient’s blood those who are socially
patient’s blood those who are socially
patient’s blood those who are socially isolated and those that aren’t and
isolated and those that aren’t and
isolated and those that aren’t and there’s a protein called C reactant and
there’s a protein called C reactant and
there’s a protein called C reactant and the C reactant levels in those patients
the C reactant levels in those patients
the C reactant levels in those patients who are socially isolated with any
who are socially isolated with any
who are socially isolated with any without any other comorbidities had the
without any other comorbidities had the
without any other comorbidities had the same risk of disease and dying as those
same risk of disease and dying as those
same risk of disease and dying as those with diabetes and a lack of exercise
with diabetes and a lack of exercise
with diabetes and a lack of exercise these are important concepts that we in
these are important concepts that we in
these are important concepts that we in society need to embrace and I would
society need to embrace and I would
society need to embrace and I would suggest to you more than ever we’re
suggest to you more than ever we’re
suggest to you more than ever we’re actually at a crossroads in society
actually at a crossroads in society
actually at a crossroads in society right now that I’m not even sure we’re
right now that I’m not even sure we’re
right now that I’m not even sure we’re standing and seeing the signs in front
standing and seeing the signs in front
standing and seeing the signs in front of us as a paramedic service we see a
of us as a paramedic service we see a
of us as a paramedic service we see a seven to nine percent growth in 911 year
seven to nine percent growth in 911 year
seven to nine percent growth in 911 year after year for the last ten years and
after year for the last ten years and
after year for the last ten years and that’s not because there are more
that’s not because there are more
that’s not because there are more crashes on the highway because in fact
crashes on the highway because in fact
crashes on the highway because in fact there aren’t it’s not because more
there aren’t it’s not because more
there aren’t it’s not because more people are dying of cancers or have
people are dying of cancers or have
people are dying of cancers or have heart attacks because there aren’t in
heart attacks because there aren’t in
heart attacks because there aren’t in fact those numbers are all headed in the
fact those numbers are all headed in the
fact those numbers are all headed in the other direction this is all related to
other direction this is all related to
other direction this is all related to the demographic shift in aging and its
the demographic shift in aging and its
the demographic shift in aging and its impact on our community and our ability
impact on our community and our ability
impact on our community and our ability to provide basic services but as an
to provide basic services but as an
to provide basic services but as an administrator of a program as the chief
administrator of a program as the chief
administrator of a program as the chief paramedic and ran for County I’m not
paramedic and ran for County I’m not
paramedic and ran for County I’m not only going to look at how are we going
only going to look at how are we going
only going to look at how are we going to change that 7 to 9 percent demand for
to change that 7 to 9 percent demand for
to change that 7 to 9 percent demand for 9-1-1 services and tout that community
9-1-1 services and tout that community
9-1-1 services and tout that community paramedicine which I explained to you is
paramedicine which I explained to you is
paramedicine which I explained to you is going to make all the difference in the
going to make all the difference in the
going to make all the difference in the world
world
world the reality is the crossroads represents
the reality is the crossroads represents
the reality is the crossroads represents the first time in history that Canada
the first time in history that Canada
the first time in history that Canada has had more people over the age of 65
has had more people over the age of 65
has had more people over the age of 65 than under the age of 15 so if we think
than under the age of 15 so if we think
than under the age of 15 so if we think it’s a problem today as people continue
it’s a problem today as people continue
it’s a problem today as people continue to age it’s only going to become a
to age it’s only going to become a
to age it’s only going to become a cataclysmic problem when there aren’t
cataclysmic problem when there aren’t
cataclysmic problem when there aren’t young people there to be able to support
young people there to be able to support
young people there to be able to support them when they’re feeling socially
them when they’re feeling socially
them when they’re feeling socially isolated these are very very important
isolated these are very very important
isolated these are very very important times in terms of our community
times in terms of our community
times in terms of our community and our ability to deal with issues of
and our ability to deal with issues of
and our ability to deal with issues of social isolation chronic disease and
social isolation chronic disease and
social isolation chronic disease and older
older
older adults but I know Renfrew County is a
adults but I know Renfrew County is a
adults but I know Renfrew County is a very rich community in its ability to
very rich community in its ability to
very rich community in its ability to care for its neighbor and its loved ones
care for its neighbor and its loved ones
care for its neighbor and its loved ones we know in deep river for example many
we know in deep river for example many
we know in deep river for example many of the people that gave their their
of the people that gave their their
of the people that gave their their life’s profession to the community in
life’s profession to the community in
life’s profession to the community in deep River had children that left to go
deep River had children that left to go
deep River had children that left to go away for university
away for university
away for university that’s why we’ve seen significant
that’s why we’ve seen significant
that’s why we’ve seen significant increases in terms of waiting lists for
increases in terms of waiting lists for
increases in terms of waiting lists for long term care
long term care
long term care that’s why we take care of the
that’s why we take care of the
that’s why we take care of the thirty-two most needy patients on that
thirty-two most needy patients on that
thirty-two most needy patients on that waiting list and have shown such
waiting list and have shown such
waiting list and have shown such incredible results in terms of reduction
incredible results in terms of reduction
incredible results in terms of reduction in health utilization but more
in health utilization but more
in health utilization but more importantly in improvements in health
importantly in improvements in health
importantly in improvements in health this is a this is an image of Jan one of
this is a this is an image of Jan one of
this is a this is an image of Jan one of our paramedics in the deep river program
our paramedics in the deep river program
our paramedics in the deep river program and she goes a couple times a week to
and she goes a couple times a week to
and she goes a couple times a week to make sure that 32 clients have what they
make sure that 32 clients have what they
make sure that 32 clients have what they need to stay home safely but
need to stay home safely but
need to stay home safely but interestingly she’s also the person who
interestingly she’s also the person who
interestingly she’s also the person who reaches through the phone at at those
reaches through the phone at at those
reaches through the phone at at those individuals own children to remind them
individuals own children to remind them
individuals own children to remind them how important it is for them to come
how important it is for them to come
how important it is for them to come visit to remind them how critical it is
visit to remind them how critical it is
visit to remind them how critical it is not only to their disease but how long
not only to their disease but how long
not only to their disease but how long they’re gonna live for them to remain in
they’re gonna live for them to remain in
they’re gonna live for them to remain in contact for them to have a meaningful
contact for them to have a meaningful
contact for them to have a meaningful quality relationship that has frequent
quality relationship that has frequent
quality relationship that has frequent contacts so my ask of you on behalf of
contacts so my ask of you on behalf of
contacts so my ask of you on behalf of all of these patients that we serve and
all of these patients that we serve and
all of these patients that we serve and all of the patients that I’ve seen in my
all of the patients that I’ve seen in my
all of the patients that I’ve seen in my career who I know would benefit from a
career who I know would benefit from a
career who I know would benefit from a phone call from a visit from a hug from
phone call from a visit from a hug from
phone call from a visit from a hug from an ear is to ask you to reach out as an
an ear is to ask you to reach out as an
an ear is to ask you to reach out as an individual to your own family and your
individual to your own family and your
individual to your own family and your own loved ones to seek out those
own loved ones to seek out those
own loved ones to seek out those vulnerable people in your own community
vulnerable people in your own community
vulnerable people in your own community and reach out to them in a meaningful
and reach out to them in a meaningful
and reach out to them in a meaningful way not only will it help their health
way not only will it help their health
way not only will it help their health and their mental health I would suggest
and their mental health I would suggest
and their mental health I would suggest to you it puts you in a very strong
to you it puts you in a very strong
to you it puts you in a very strong leadership position with your own
leadership position with your own
leadership position with your own children and grandchildren to understand
children and grandchildren to understand
children and grandchildren to understand the importance of this so that as you
the importance of this so that as you
the importance of this so that as you give to them the next generation is
give to them the next generation is
give to them the next generation is there to give to you thank you
there to give to you thank you
there to give to you thank you [Applause]
”
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