Health Services
Learn about our Health Services, including non-insured health benefits, footcare, our Elders Program, pharmacy services, and more that we provide to the community of Garden River First Nation
About Non-Insured Health Benefits
The Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) program provides eligible First Nations clients with coverage for a range of health benefits that might not otherwise be covered under other programs or health insurance, including vision care, dental care, mental health counselling, medical supplies and equipment, prescriptions and over the counter medication, as well as medical travel (when services are needed and not available in the community).
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for Non-Insured Health Benefits through the Garden River Wellness Centre, the following criteria must be met:
- Be a resident of Garden River First Nation
- Be a registered First Nation person with the Garden River First Nation
- A child less than 18 months old whose parent(s) is a registered First Nations person(s) (make sure to register your child as soon as possible to ensure their continued eligibility for NIHB coverage)
To learn more about the Non-Insured Health Benefits program, visit the Health Canada website.
To inquire about non-insured health benefits, contact Jennifer Solomon at jsolomon@grhc.ca Ext. 202
When requesting travel for out of town appointments please have the following brought or sent to the NIHB office at the Garden River Wellness Centre via fax or email.
- I will need your
current mailing address, phone number and E-mail address.
- Referral note from your physician in Sault Ste. Marie/Garden River stating:
- WHERE you are being referred to?
- WHO you are being referred to?
- DATE & TIME of your upcoming appointment?
- Verification of your appointment(s) from the out of town doctor/hospital/clinic.
- WHETHER or not you require an escort? (must be medically justified and written by physician/nurse)
- Will need the escorts name, DOB, address and phone number.
- IF you are requesting a flight then the physician MUST write that a flight is medically required (where flights are applicable).
- Banking information: all travel money will be direct deposit
- Direct deposit form from your bank
Footcare
Members of Garden River First Nation who are 55 years or older are eligible to be seen by a certified foot care nurse at the Garden River Wellness Centre every 8 weeks. Patients must present primarily with diabetes; However, other advanced chronic conditions will be taken into consideration, that affect their ability to provide their own foot care.
Weight Management
For the past 18 years, Dr. Caruso has been working with patients in the area of Weight Management, including: excess body fat, high blood pressure, high blood sugar, and abnormal cholesterol or triglyceride levels.
All adult Garden River First Nation Band Members who have health concerns in these areas are eligible to make an appointment.
Dr. Caruso addresses these issues through:
- A thorough history and interview
- An individualized daily routine and eating plan.
- Appropriate supportive medications and/or supplements.
- Weekly check-ups and counselling sessions.
Diagnostic Lab Work
Bloodwork
Urine & Specimen Collection
Ordered tests
pre-ordered test generated by the N'mninoeyaa Community Health Access Centre Providers ONLY.
Community Health Nurse
The Community Health Nurse is an individual who works closely within the community to service the community members of Garden River First Nation. They work closely in conjunction with the Health Educator and various programs that are offered in the community.
They are here to educated and enlighten the community members to take better care of themselves with knowledge and conscious thought
Home & Community Care
The Home and Community Care program provides support services intended to enrich the well-being of the clients while maintaining them within their home and community.
For more information contact the Home & Community Care Team.
Jessica Belleau, Supervisor, Ext. 214
Megan Leveille, Care Coordinator, Ext. 249
Eligibility for Program
To apply for this program, you must be:
- Any person between 0-100 years of age.
- An adult with a physical or mental disability.
- A Garden River Band Member In need of support services.
You must also meet the following criteria:
- Reside in Garden River.
- A Garden River Band member.
- No significant environmental risk of harm to the care providers.
- Meet requirements of a financial means test through the Niigaaniin Program.
Benefits of the program:
- Support the client needs to ensure they remain in their homes as long as possible.
- Reduce unnecessary hospitalization.
- Assistance with Health Care system navigation.
- Improve quality of life and independence.
- Case management.
Available services:
Personal Support Workers (PSW)
- Assistance with personal care and activities of daily living to clients within the program.
- Forming Strong and trusting relationships with clients along with providing emotional support.
- Assisting clients to access community supports and facilities.
Indigenous Transition Facilitator (ITF)
- Facilitate culturally appropriate patient care.
- Accessing cultural resources in hospitals.
- Providing indigenous specific education for staff.
- Assisting with discharge planning
- NIHB navigation
- Community resource navigation
- Advocation for appropriate approaches to patient needs while in hospital.
Care Coordinator
- Monitoring client's health status.
- Working with families and clients to ensure that they are comfortable with the care plan and know how to provide care if needed.
- Determination of needs and care.
- Care plan development.
- Connecting with health care providers.
- Client/Family education in regard to their medical conditions.
Emergency Safety
- Pendants through TELUS Health- Monitored 24/7.
- Accessibility to the following services through pendant- Police, Fire, Ambulance, Fall Detection.
Non-Medical and Medical Transportation
- Transportation is available for Home & Community Care clients to access non-medical appointments i.e.- banking, shopping, etc. (Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays).
- Transportation also available for Home & Community Care clients for scheduled appointments at the Wellness Centre (Tuesdays & Thursdays).
- Please contact the Medical Transportation Coordinator, Robin Lesage ext. 221. Medical Transportation for more information.
Over The Counter Medication
This program may provide clients with over-the-counter (non-prescription) medications once a nursing assessment has been completed; based on need and availability.
This can include:
- Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
- Iburophen (Advil)
- Allergy Medication
- Lice Killing Shampoo
