Hi Mary,

Please find the response to your question below.

Regards,
(name redacted)

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Q. Can you comment in general on the disparity between on and off-reserve services for disabled people?

Health Canada delivers clinical and client care, in approximately 80 nursing stations and treatment health centres on
reserve. In addition, Health Canada’s First Nations and Inuit Home and Community Care (FNIHCC) program
provides health, nursing and community support services to eligible First Nations on reserve and Inuit living in Inuit
communities. Services are provided based on a comprehensive needs assessment, and enable people with
disabilities, chronic or acute illnesses and the elderly to receive the care they need in their home communities.

Home and community care may include nursing care, personal care such as bathing and foot care, home support
such as meal preparation, and in-home respite care, that is, caring for someone while family members have a rest.

Through its Non-Insured Health Benefits program (NIHB), Health Canada provides a limited range of medically
necessary goods and services to eligible First Nations and Inuit that are not covered by other plans or programs,
including prescription drugs, medical equipment, dental services, vision care, medical transportation, and short-term
crisis intervention mental health counselling.

Health Canada’s First Nations and Inuit Health Branch funds a suite of community-based programs, services,
initiatives and strategies that focus on three targeted areas: Healthy Child Development, Mental Wellness, and
Healthy Living. These areas support the healthy development of children and families, and aim to improve mental
wellness outcomes and reduce the impact of chronic disease among all members of the community, including those
with disabilities.

Indian and Northern Affairs Canada

Indian and Northern Affairs Canada’s Assisted Living program provides non-medical social support services (in-home
care, adult foster care/supportive living and institutional care services up to Type II) that meet the special needs of
seniors, adults with chronic illness, and children and adults with disabilities, in a manner reasonably comparable to
the province or territory of residence for the purpose of maintaining functional independence and greater self-reliance.

In-home care services range from housekeeping and attendant care to community supports, such as adult care,
meals on wheels, psycho-social programs and short-term respite care for caregivers. More than 9,000 First Nation
individuals across Canada benefit from the Assisted Living program services.

Indian and Northern Affairs Canada and Health Canada officials collaborate with First Nations in the delivery of
INAC’s Assisted Living Program and FNIHB’s First Nations and Inuit Home and Community Care program to ensure
there is a continuity of care for eligible recipients.
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(name redacted)
Media Relations Officer | Agente des relations avec les médias
Regulatory Communications and Media Relations Division | Division des communications réglementaires et des
relations avec les médias
Health Canada | Santé Canada
613.957.XXXX (tel.)
613.957.XXXX (fax)