Health Services

Ambulance Services

 

In 1993, the Six Nations Emergency First Response Team was established under the Six Nations Volunteer Fire Department to address the rising need for emergency medical services for the Six Nations community. This served to prove a need for an Ambulance Service of our own.

 

On January 01, 2000, the Six Nations Ambulance Service was born. SNAS became an Advanced Care Ambulance Service on October 15, 2009 with the launch of the first ALS shift.

 

The dedicated and caring employees of the Six Nations Ambulance Service work cooperatively under the regulations of the Ontario Ministry of Health, the Ambulance Act, Coroner’s Act and strive to provide the best ambulance service available, always remembering “the Patient Comes First.”

 

As part of the licensing provisions to operate an ambulance service, Six Nations Ambulance must undergo a Ministry of Health service review every three years, where MOH officials spend three days at the service, riding with the crews, scrutinizing paperwork and procedures. Following these three days, the MOH team writes a detailed report including any recommendations for improvements and then recommends the renewal of the ambulance service license. This is to ensure Six Nations Ambulance is meeting or exceeding the provincial standards of a land ambulance service.

 

Six Nations Ambulance Service is a 24 hour, seven day a week operation with Advanced Care Paramedics and Primary Care Paramedics (all of whom are IV therapy trained). There is one in-service vehicle, one spare vehicle and one First Response Vehicle, usually manned by an Advanced Care Paramedic for 108 hours per week. On certain occasions, both transport vehicles may be put into operation at the same time otherwise; they are rotated on a weekly basis.

 

Dental

 

The Ohsweken dental office was first opened in 1950 with Dr.Conway. The dental office was first located in the old medical building across the road from where it is located now.

 

John Green was the first dental driver. He went into the schools to bring the children to the dental office. Roger Porter started in 1959 he was the next dental driver as well as the maintenance person for the medical building.

Nina Burnham started at the clinic in 1962. She then moved into the new dental office at Gane Yohs when the new building was erected in November 2, 1981.

 

There have been many dentists that have come and gone but only 2 have stayed for over 20 years. Dr. Douglas Crane started in 1977 in the old building but moved to the new building when it was erected. Dr. Bruce Duncan started in 1982 one year after the building was built.

 

Primary Goal

 

The primary goal of the office from the beginning has been to provide dental service to all registered school-aged children. Dental care is also available for the elderly and disabled. Emergency treatment is provided for all members of the community, but due to the increased number of patients eligible for dental service, non-emergency adult treatment has been affected. New adult patients or those who have not received regular care in Ohsweken for several years are being referred to dentists off the reserve. This allows the school children to be treated properly. The benefits available to patients are the same in any dental office across Canada.

 

Emergency cases

 

In case of emergencies and there is no dentist available, patients are asked to go to the Emergency Department at the hospitals were they have a dentist on call.

 

Diabetes Education Program

 

The Diabetes Education Program aims to help people understand diabetes and how it affects their overall health and wellness. Individual counselling sessions are available as well as group education sessions. Please contact the program for further information or to request an education session for your family or other group

 

Program Manager

Katie Gasparelli, BSc PT, MSc Rehabilitation

Phone: 519 445-2809

 

Teresa Dupuis

Registered Nurse, Certified Diabetes Educator

 

Angela Montour

Registered Nurse,

 

Mary Cranmer-Byng

Registered Dietitian

 

Darlene LaForme

Registered Social Worker

 

Victoria McNaughton

Program Secretary

 

Contact Us:

Our offices are at the White Pines Wellness Centre

Phone: 519-445-2226

Fax: 519-445-0801

 

Early Childhood Development

 

The Early Childhood Development/Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Program (ECD/FASD) “We believe every child is a gift and we also believe every child has their own path in this life with gifts to share.”

As health care providers we will do our best to support and encourage the young people on their path. Families also need support and encouragement as they are the ones who take a primary role in their children’s lives.

The Early Childhood Development/FASD Program provides services within the Six Nations of the Grand River community.

 

• Culturally relevant and age appropriate facilitation of a variety of health related topics for children ages 4-14

• Crisis intervention for individuals, groups and on call for Six Nations Crisis Service

• Parent information on healthy child development

• Harm reduction

• Advocacy including resources and referrals for child/youth and families

• Early Years screens and intervention

• Collaborative service with community partners for optimal care

 

Family Health Team

 

Vision

 

We are a dynamic team of caring healers and caring embrace Onkwehonwe, Western, and alternative medicine to effectively nurture health and wellness.

 

Mission

 

We recognize and respect the parallels of Onkwehonwe and Western medicines in the spirit of the two row wampum, to help individuals, families and the community to journey along their pathway to optimal mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual wellness.

 

 

Health Promotion & Nutrition Services

 

Program Objectives

 

To plan, develop, promote and deliver quality holistic services to address the effects of related conditions on the physical, mental, spiritual and emotional aspects of the individual, family.

 

Services

 

• Nutrition counseling with a registered dietitian (office or home visit)

• Physician or self-referrals accepted

• Available for one-on-one, with family members or groups

• Nutrition/healthy lifestyles display

 

Programs

 

Group presentations:

Possible target groups – toddlers, pre-schoolers, teens, adults and elderly. Any nutrition topic may be covered upon request

 

Healthy Nutrition Classes:

Topics covered: label reading, dietary fats, budgeting, cooking for health and taste.

 

Baby Food Making Classes:

Learn to prepare baby food to a consistency suitable to a baby’s ability to swallow. Learn how to introduce new foods, how to recognize the signs and symptoms of an allergic reaction.

 

Breastfeeding Support Group:

Mothers and babies gather to discuss the changes and pleasures of breastfeeding. Educate yourself/baby on good nutrition. Have your breastfeeding questions answered. Share your breastfeeding successes!

 

Cooking Classes:

A variety of cooking classes teaching how to make healthy meals and snacks are offered for all age groups – children, youth and adults.

 

Craft Classes:

Craft classes are offered throughout the year where participants learn how to make moccasins, beading and more!

 

Exercise Classes

Exercise classes such as aerobics, pilates, zumba, yoga, aqua-fit and more are offered throughout the year. These are great ways to stay in shape and make new friends!

 

Prenatal Classes:

Learn about nutrition, physical changes during pregnancy, labour and delivery, breastfeeding, baby care, traditional teachings, etc. All women are encouraged to attend as early in their pregnancy as possible!

 

Diabetes Support Group:

Meets every last Wednesday of the month. Socialize and learn about diabetes.

 

Canning/Preserving Workshop:

available upon request

 

Healthy Babies/Healthy Children

 

The Aboriginal Healthy Babies, Healthy Children Program is an initiative funded by Aboriginal Healing and Wellness Strategy (AHWS) in collaboration with the Ministry of Health. Healthy Babies Healthy Children delivers culturally appropriate, effective, efficient services to Six Nations community members. The program’s mission is to ensure that all children develop at their highest level in the areas of cognitive development, communication, physical, and psychosocial skills. We strive to ensure children and their families have access to services and supports that will make a positive difference in their lives. This will increase effective parenting abilities and parents will be empowered to assist their children in reaching their full developmental potential.

 

Iroquois Lodge

 

At Iroquois Lodge Nursing Home we will ensure that all Residents are treated with respect and dignity when accessing health care services. We will also ensure that all our Residents live in a healthy environment that is sensitive and responsive to their unique spiritual and cultural values.

 

Iroquois Lodge Nursing Home is a long term care home. Our main focus is the care we provide. This is care that enhances the quality of life, dignity and autonomy of our Residents, their families and our staff. It is care which is delivered in consideration of our Residents’ needs. Our team has an interdisciplinary approach, which includes our Residents, their families, our staff and our contracted service providers.

 

Our ultimate goal is individualized care which emphasizes the holistic approach. This care addresses the physical, social, emotional, intellectual, restorative, recreational, ethno-cultural, spiritual and environmental needs of each Resident. Individual rights and wishes are paramount in providing care within our resources.

 

IROQUOIS LODGE NURSING HOME VISION

 

How we achieve our vision is as important as the vision itself. Iroquois Lodge Nursing Home will maintain the provision of individualized care by promoting and maintaining our Residents’ way of life within the aboriginal culture, traditions, and spirituality, while providing individualized optimal care.

 

Our services and programmes are designed to meet the growing and changing needs of our Residents and to provide a rewarding work environment for our staff. We are committed to providing high-quality care and service through a Resident-Centred approach. We will create an environment that empowers each Resident's rights to dignity, self-esteem and independence.

 

Our Foundation of Values:

 

The foundation of our values shall be timeless, yet our strategies and practices will evolve as our environment changes. The foundation for our values defines what Iroquois Lodge Nursing Home stands for and is the framework for our decision making.

 

Respect: a way of life given to all living things, beginning with self, then ripples out within the community.

 

Residents First: We put our Residents’ best interests first in our decision making. We support our Residents’ independence and dignity, valuing life choices and respecting their decisions.

 

Relationships: are developed between Residents, staff, and our community, among all who share the land.

 

Building Trusted Partnerships: We know we can’t do it alone. We will enhance our services by building trusted partnerships with employees and service providers who share similar values.

 

Responsibility: is the link between the community’s well-being, with the knowledge that each person is accountable for his or her own actions.

 

Always Improving Quality: We know there is always room to improve. We are committed to improving quality through leadership, innovation and perseverance.

 

Reverence: a respect that deals with the spirituality of our nature, in the circle of life.

 

Being Accountable: We are accountable to our Residents and our partners. We are committed to managing our physical, environmental, financial and human resources ethically and responsibly.

 

Mental Health

 

In 1995, the federal government, through Medical Services Branch of Health Canada initiated the Building Healthy Communities (B.H.C.) program. The initiative began as a result of gaps in services being identified and needs going unmet, which led to crisis situations in many First Nations communities. The overall purpose of B.H.C. is to increase delivery of mental health services at the community level.

 

Under this initiative, services to be considered for development are Mental Health/Crisis Situations. Solvent Abuse and/or Home Care Nursing. Six Nations Mental Health Services developed as a result of direct consultation with existing agencies and community consultation. Six Nations Mental Health Services opened its doors in July of 1997.

 

MH Services Offered:

 

To inquire about Promotional Events or to book Presentations, Workshops or Training contact:

 

Brenda Johnson, Mental Health Educator: mhe@sixnations.ca

 

• Mental Health First Aid Training

• Culturally relevant and age appropriate presentations, workshops related a variety of topics:

• Mental Health concerns; Well-Being; Understanding & Changing the Impacts of Colonialism/Assimilation; Suicide; Self-Awareness; Respect, Acceptance & Diversity; Character Development

• ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Training)

• safeTALK (Suicide Awareness for Everyone TALK, ASK, LISTEN KEEPSAFE)

 

Therapy Services

 

Occupational Therapy is the art and science of helping people take part in everyday living. They can help by assessing the need for assistive devices (i.e. wheelchairs, walkers, canes and others). They can also help by assessing how you get about doing your activities of daily living such as cleaning, making meals, doing laundry or taking out the trash. They work with clients to participate to their full potential in the daily occupations of life.

 

Amanda Heron

Occupational Therapist

 

Children’s Occupational Therapy

 

Occupational therapy can help children with various needs to improve their cognitive, physical, sensory, motor skills and enhance their self-esteem and a sense of accomplishment.

 

A child’s main job is playing and learning and occupational therapists can evaluate a child’s skill for playing, school performance and daily activities and compare them with what is developmentally appropriate for that age group.

 

Sangita Kamath

Occupational Therapist

 

Physiotherapy Services

 

Physiotherapists work with clients of all ages and with a wide range of health conditions. Whether it’s pain management and rehabilitation from an acute injury like a sprained ankle, or management of chronic conditions such as diabetes or heart disease, a physiotherapist can help.

 

Physiotherapy Services are for Individuals who do NOT have coverage through:

 

• WISB (Worker’s Safety and Insurance Board)

• Personal Insurance Coverage

• Coverage Under Spouse/Family Member

 

Our services are for individuals who do not have any form of insurance coverage. Those that have access to private physiotherapy services through Motor Vehicle Accident Insurance, WSIB (Worker’s Safety and Insurance Board) are requested to do so. This allows our team to provide treatment to those who do not have coverage. We would be happy to provide you with a list of private physiotherapy clinics in the surrounding areas.

 

Rhoda Williams

Physiotherapist

 

Amanda Martin

Physiotherapist Assistant

 

Angela VanEvery

Physiotherapist/Occupational Therapist Assistant

 

Speech Services

 

Speech-language pathologists can help with speech, language and swallowing disorders and much more.

 

Speech delays and disorders including articulation, phonology and motor speech disorders.

 

Language delays and disorders, including expression and comprehension in oral and non-verbal contexts

 

Fluency disorders, including stuttering.

 

Voice and resonance disorders.

 

Swallowing and feeding disorders in adults, children and infants.

 

Cognitive-communicative disorders including social communication skills, reasoning, problem solving and executive functions.

 

Pre-literacy and literacy skills including phonological awareness, decoding, reading comprehension and writing.

 

Communication and swallowing disorders related to other issues. For example, hearing impairments, traumatic brain injury, dementia, developmental, intellectual or genetic disorders and neurological impairments.

 

Rebecca Wong Kai Pun

Speech Language Pathologist

 

Catherine Hayhoe

Communicative Disorders Assistant

 

Laura Todd-Hunter

Communicative Disorders Assistant

 

Children’s Health Case Management

 

The Children’s Health Case Manager coordinates services for children with special needs and their families. They help to ensure that families are receiving the right services and that all the services are working together to support the child and family.

 

Jacqueline Smith, B.A (Hons)

Children’s Health Case Manager