Kakisa elders 'left to fend for themselves' without homecare, residence

A log cabin in Kakisa, N.W.T., is shared by four siblings in their late 70s and 80s. The floor is filthy and there are piles of unwashed clothes and dishes scattered about. The bedroom is smalland many blankets are needed to stay warm,explains one of the elders, speaking in South Slavey.

"They're not being cared for," says Margaret Leishman, who lives in Kakisaand helps out the elders when she can. "Uncertain about things, because they don't understand. Imagine to live in fear like that, in your old age."

There are12elders living in the tiny community of Kakisa, which boasts a total population of about 50. There is no seniors' residence or homecare services available locally, somethingLeishman sayshas to change.

She says the elders are left to fend for themselves: It's up to them to deal with dementia, arrange their own appointments, take their medications and keep their homes up as best they can. If a health issue arises, they often show up at her door on a snowmobile, where she eitheralerts the community nurse or tends to it herself.

"Elders in Kakisa are isolated, very lonely," says Leishman."Andone of the biggest things is that they need to have food preparation for them. As you get older, your diet becomes different. Those educational things are not available for elders."

'It's going to get worse in the future'

Leishmansays the elders don't want to go to a long term care home in Hay River or Yellowknife becauseKakisathe only home they've ever known,and they want to stay together. Traditionally, explainsLeishman, elders remained at home and were taken care of by their families, but now, it's much easier to "push them into homes.

"Theyre not able to take care of themselves," she says. "Even today, whenyou see difficulties, you know its going to get worse in the future.

"It makes me really sad. I do go to bed worried at night."

Leishman would like to see an elders residence built inKakisaor havehomecareservices available. She'd like to see Kakisa's chief and council presure the Deh Cho Health and Social Services Authority to expand services to Kakisa, as well as the establishment of a community elder's council so they can make their voices heard.

"We dont have anything for our elders," she says. "And in my tradition, the elders are well respected.Theyre head of our people because we learn from them. And theyre role models for us. And when theyre old, they need to be taken care of.

"Id like to see our elders get treated 100 percent. Theyve earned it."