During her keynote address to the Aging Together as Community conference in Haliburton County Jan. 27, Dr. Pat Armstrong talked about putting life into years, versus putting years into life.

More than 150 people attended the conference at the Pinestone Resort and Conference Centre, learning about an Indigenous perspective on elder care, projects at Hyland Crest, and Rotaract’s intergenerational perspectives, to name a few, under the theme of inspiring creativity, empowering change.

Armstrong is a long-term care research professor at York University. She headed up a research study of LTC in Norway, Sweden, the U.K., U.S. Germany and Canada.

She referenced a German LTC home, whose manager said, “our purpose is to put life into years, not simply years into life… and we would add this includes opportunities for joy for those living in, working in and visiting LTC homes.”

Armstrong said LTC homes in Canada, and particularly Ontario, do not do a good job of either. She referenced the Canadian military finding terrible conditions during COVID. She said many Canadians think LTC is “the last and worst resort.”

However, she said family members in Sweden and Germany do not feel guilty when they put loved ones into LTC, while a significant number of Swedish seniors would prefer going into nursing homes, even if offered significant home care.

In Ontario, she said people say there are pros to LTC homes, such as their loved ones having company, being safe, such as getting medications, having access to activities, such as bingo, and care for meals and laundry.

But to bring joy, she said homes must be properly staffed. She said staffing levels in Sweden are more than twice Canada. She said staff have the time to chat and get to know residents; get them to walk versus putting them in wheelchairs. She said family do not have to fill gaps for survival. The only thing families have to do is socialize. Staff continuity is key, she said, so residents know the workers. In Ontario, there are a lot of part-time, and casual staff “without proper training.”

The researcher added when there are scandals, the result is more regulations, leading to “robotic care.”

She said in a Norwegian LTC, staff had coffee during shift changes to talk about issues and strategies, supporting each other and providing better care. She noted how one home integrated music into everyday life. When someone was admitted, staff copied their music and printed out words. They had a resident choir. “There was a sense of belonging and joy for residents and staff.” She said some do art exhibits, and a home in Toronto was planning to do drive-in wheelchair movies.

Other examples were bringing joy to eating. She said one LTC home chef in the U.K. noticed residents were not eating much because they were overwhelmed with the amount of food, so he made appetizer sized portions handed out on trays.

Laundry was also important to residents, Armstrong said. She noted there are crisis when clothes are lost, shrunk, or a resident is found wearing another’s clothes. In Sweden, she said rooms have small washers and dryers in them.

She added so many homes are fearful of risk, they deny residents joy – such as walking versus a wheelchair, eating ice cream and even drinking small amounts of alcohol.

“We have to balance the risk against what is being lost and denied.”

She added residents want to be where the action is, not put out to pasture. In Norway, she said they visited a complex that housed a nursing home, swimming pool, theatre, restaurant, spa, and child care centre, a “hub of activity.”

Bonnie Roe, of the steering committee, said the conference was, “a very full day, filled with inspiration, creative ways of supporting our aging population and opportunities for conversation with people throughout the County.

“We need their voices, and voices from all ages, to be the catalyst for change to improve the aging experience for all.”

Dysart et al deputy mayor Walt McKechnie said he and the rest of the township’s council are supportive of the Haliburton County Farmers Market Association’s efforts to maintain a weekly merchant market in town, noting three options have been offered for the coming season.

As reported in last week’s Highlander, council has told market officials the event can return to Head Lake Park in the spring, following a one-year hiatus, providing they reimburse the township $5 for each vendor in attendance, for every market day.

HCFMA is considering the proposal, with no decision made as of press time, according to president, Kevin Fisher.

McKechnie said council has also offered for the market to be located at Rotary Beach Park or the Head Lake boardwalk at no cost.

Brian Nash, a member of the HCFMA board, told The Highlander recently he doesn’t believe there’s sufficient interest from vendors to return to Rotary Beach, which hosted the market last year. Attendance dropped approximately 30 per cent following the move, Nash said.

He noted the boardwalk wouldn’t be a good location as merchants would have difficulty setting up stalls and transporting their goods down the narrow stretch.

McKechnie felt the fees outlined by council for HCFMA to use Head Lake Park are fair and protect Dysart taxpayers.

“One of council’s mandates is to look after the assets of the municipality in an efficient, cost-effective manner… the area in Head Lake Park used for the farmers market is a problem area where damage can occur, especially when it’s raining or when vendors drive off the paved paths. This results in large ruts along the paths and damage to the grass area, requiring extra groundskeeping,” McKechnie said.

“Council has put considerable tax dollars into the park in the past few years – $600,000 for a new playground, $400,000 for the welcome centre – extra costs created by one organization should not be taken on by taxpayers… I don’t think $5 [for each vendor, each event] is too much to ask” he added.

The deputy mayor says there’s no agenda against HCFMA and that fees will be considered for every event being held at Head Lake Park moving forward.

“It’s an asset that is used by various groups throughout the year. Each brings something different; each gives something back to the community in some way,” McKechnie said. “As part of the Head Lake Park Master Plan, council will review all users of the park, including vendors and their relationship to the parent organization.

“We’re fortunate to have such an asset in this community. Council will continue to preserve the park for all to enjoy,” McKechnie added.

The Haliburton County Farmers Association (HCFA) says it has connected with a new veterinarian willing to come to the County on some Fridays.

HCFA secretary, Jean Schlicklin Tyler, said, “when there are a number of people willing to have a vet, they may come for ongoing vaccines and medical check ups for farm animals. This builds a relationship between the vet and the caregivers for future critical care, with the hope of participation in the Veterinary Assistant Program (VAP) for the County.”

Schlicklin Tyler added, “this is a win, win, win for everyone involved, if we work together.”

The HCFA held its annual general meeting Jan. 18 at Castle Antiques. Schlicklin Tyler said they continue to “flourish in a climate of challenge.”

She said a lack of access to a large animal vet in the County is the most significant problem facing farmers, other than a perceived lack of support by Dysart council on the Haliburton farmers market.

“The townspeople continue to see the benefit of farmers, so we keep working with the different provincial ministries and provincial organizations working on issues in agriculture. Our County is not alone in this crisis. The reduced number of graduating vets for large animal care, the change of regulations to access medical resources, the lack of vet technicians in the communities, emergency care of any kind, and the loss of local abattoirs to process meat has become a crisis across the province.”

At the meeting, Minna Schleifenbaum was reconfirmed for a second year as president, along with an active board of 11 executives and directors. Godfrey Tyler, as the Beef Farmers of Ontario (BFO) representative, presented information for the Northern Producer Animal Health Network (NPAHN). He introduced Jordan Miller, of BFO, as the two organizations are working on the vet crisis from a provincial perspective, Schlicklin Tyler said.

“There are hopeful signs reported – money for a vet incentive for any clinic applying with a new vet. The VAP is being reviewed by the Ontario Ministry of Northern Development and Mines. People are being urged to contact their MPP and other organizations involved in this crisis to bring solutions from the grassroots of our community,” she added.

Schlicklin Tyler said communications are locally growing “with a dynamic leadership and the membership of HCFA.” She said with community efforts, there has been a table at the farmers markets in the summer, co-hosted by BFO and HCFA, that gives free material and information about the local food providers and other groups involved in production.

There is ongoing work for more clinics and educational tours with the support of the County tourism office to learn more about food production. There is also a plan for a two-day environmental farm workshop that interested people can sign up for now, to be hosted in April.

The County began its budget deliberations Jan. 24, with taxpayers looking at a possible 7.81 per cent hike for 2024 if the document were to go ahead as is. It would mean an extra $18.41 per $100,000 of assessment, on top of what they pay to their townships and the school board.

CAO Gary Dyke said inflation is having a major impact, 23 per cent of the total requested levy increase. For example, he said the cost of maintaining vehicles, materials for public works and insurance premiums are all going up substantially. So is the cost of road construction, a five per cent increase to the health unit, more money to the City of Kawartha Lakes for shared programs, and the library is seeking an additional $45,000.

Despite the 7.81 per cent, Dyke said “in comparison to other counties within the Eastern Ontario Wardens Caucus, the County’s tax rate continues to be the second lowest (of 12).” There is also 1.54 per cent of assessment growth.

Of the estimated $32 million in expenses, 44 per cent goes to wages and benefits. Staff are asking for a half-a-million increase for wages and benefits.

Dyke, worried about an infrastructure funding gap, has suggested introducing a specific one per cent tax levy. To go with that, in 2025, he said staff will look to develop a capital project prioritization model.

The library budget garnered a lot of attention at the meeting. They are asking for just over $1.32 million. The primary driver is an increase in monthly programming and operating hours, along with the reintroduction of the Dorset branch in Algonquin Highlands.

Coun. Murray Fearrey questioned the library budget. He said Dysart and Minden, the two largest towns, have one each; with Algonquin Highlands soon to have two (Stanhope and Dorset) and Highlands East four (Cardiff, Gooderham, Highland Grove and Wilberforce).

He said he knows libraries are important, but $1.3 million, on top of what the municipalities pay for looking after the library buildings, concerns him. He asked if staff could research how the County compares to other municipalities.

“I’m not questioning that there’s anything wrong. I’m just questioning how we stack up with others. And are we looking for any reduction in the number…”

Coun. Bob Carter said he’s also a library user, but the increase is substantial. “Is there a way to reduce the amount of staffing that is in the buildings at any one point in time?” he asked.

Factoring in all costs, he said the County is probably spending $2 million on libraries, at $100 a citizen, “and there are other things that we need to be spending money on.”

Warden Liz Danielsen, who sits on the library board, said, “libraries have an extraordinary capacity for other community services. And I think we have to remember it’s not just a matter of books… there’s so many more things that the library service does.”

Dyke said he’d identified staffing gaps, needing an engineering technician, administrative assistant, payroll and benefit administrator, and a business solutions and GIS supervisor. He is also recommending two paramedic supervisors.

“Front line supervision is the industry standard and it has been identified that the County is the only Eastern service without these positions,” Dyke said. “With the continued increased call volume, these positions will assist with the increased workload of the chief and deputy chief and allow for enhanced focus on long-term strategic planning and goals.” He said the impact on 2024 is $240,309.

Carter wondered if they could hire one this year and one next. But coun. Walt McKechnie said his number one priority is healthcare. He supported the hiring and any money that can go towards recruiting doctors and nurses.

Dyke said, “County staff have reviewed and re-prioritized spending and refocused these efforts in the area of sustainable longterm fiscal planning and management. This renewed focus will, in some cases, alter previous areas of spending to mitigate the identified fiscal and economic impacts while being mindful of the need to recognize the impact of tax rate increases on County residents and businesses.”