Kuujjuaq | Tusaajiapik Elders' House

Tusaajiapik Elders' House

One of the commitments that the Northern Village of Kuujjuaq made was to provide support to senior citizens, as the population from this group was rapidly increasing. The hospital became unable to keep up the demand to look after the elders, which as a result the community and the health centre worked together to create the Tusaajiapik Elders' House. It facilitates those who are no longer capable of living on their own, or those who depend on a nurse’s aid.

In addition, the program provides services for the senior citizens of Kuujjuaq who don’t necessarily live at the House. For instance, fresh water is delivered to their homes on a weekly basis. The community also acquired a van to transport them around the community whether it is simply to go shopping or to go on planned excursions.

Also under this program, the community organizes different activities for the elders where on certain occasions, usually during the summer and fall months, they are brought out of the community to practice traditional activities which range from a daily outing to several days of camping. Furthermore, for the elders who are willing and capable of going out on the land on their own, there are other support vehicles particularly a snowmobile to encourage hunting and fishing during the fall, winter and spring seasons.