CCBI News – Compassion/Healing; Toronto’s Homeless; Pat Jordan

February 10, 2023

Dear Friends of CCBI,

“Take care of him!”
Compassion as a synodal exercise of healing

In his message for the 31^st World Day of the Sick, celebrated on February 11^th, the Feast Day of Our Lady of Lourdes, Pope Francis tells us:

When we go on a journey with others, it is not unusual for someone to feel sick, to have to stop because of fatigue or of some mishap along the way. It is precisely in such moments that we see how we are walking together: whether we are truly companions on the journey, or merely individuals on the same path, looking after our own interests and leaving others to “make do”.

Pope Francis invites all of us to reflect on the fact that it is “… especially through the experience of vulnerability and illness that we can learn to walk together according to the style of God, which is closeness, compassion, and tenderness.”

We all need compassion in situations where we find ourselves vulnerable, fragile and downcast. The Pope calls us to recognize and reject our impatience, resentment and indifference to family members, friends and neighbours whose illnesses or indispositions make demands on our time, slow us down and draw attention away from our individual pursuits, desires and cherished routines. The moral demands of the parable of the Good Samaritan never wane: love of neighbour can require generosity of our time, talents and material goods. Further, Pope Francis remarks more intentionally that, “The elements of the inn, the innkeeper, the money and the promise to remain informed of the situation (cf. Lk 10:34-35) all point to the commitment of healthcare and social workers, family members and volunteers, through whom good stands up in the face of evil every day, in every part of the world.”

Good Samaritans and Toronto’s Homeless Population

An article in the Ontario Hospital Association’s recent publication reveals that seven per cent of homeless people in Toronto is over the age of 65, and points out that Unity Health is providing major services to that population. Its ‘Geriatric Homeless Outreach’ program provides care to older adults who use the shelter system. Cognitive impairment, falls and functional decline occur more often and at earlier ages in older, homeless adults compared to older people who live in regular housing.

“What is really important about this service is that it recognizes that aging impacts the experience of homelessness and that homelessness impacts health and aging,” according to Dr. Jillian Alston, a geriatrician who does geriatric assessments for people in these situations. What is most needed are ways of dealing with the homelessness crisis, which require more social and political attention than they currently receive. It is striking that homelessness has even become a feature in some recent requests for euthanasia, showing yet again how social and financial dimensions affect health care, with predictable consequences for those who fall between the cracks.

Dr Alston states that the homelessness crisis, is “…largely driven by a lack of affordable housing at a time when older adults are adjusting to fixed incomes, a lack of appropriate community supports to help older adults age in place and limited long-term care beds.” She points out that shelters are not usually able to provide treatment for the specific needs of those experiencing homelessness, a situation which Unity Health is working to rectify.

Another of its programs aimed at providing good care in this area is ‘Project Dignify,’ described in the article as “…the psychiatric equivalent of the Geriatric Homeless Outreach program.” A team consisting of a geriatric psychiatrist, occupational therapist, registered nurse, homeless outreach counsellor and operations leader meets clients in the community to offer geriatric psychiatric care and to address broader issues of housing, finance, primary care access, legal support, and substance use. Older adults with other medical conditions, perhaps even with early stages of dementia, are included in the team’s outreach.

Dr. Michael Tau, medical lead of the program and a geriatric psychiatrist, tells us that the hospital, knowing that the homeless population over age 65 is growing, developed these programs, “…to try to address this gap: to provide care for vulnerable older adults with housing and mental health concerns.” Unity Health is a good example of being a Good Samaritan’ and a reminder of what Pope Francis means by saying in his Message for the World Day of the Sick that “good must stand up in the face of evil, every day and in every part of the world.”

Mr Patrick Jordan

CCBI regrets the death of its long-time Member of the Board and faithful Treasurer, Mr Patrick Jordan. Pat served on the Board since CCBI’s inception and was always a source of encouragement and good advice. We will miss him. Requiescat in pace!

31st World Day of the Sick 2023 | Francis (vatican.va)

Health System News Filling the Gaps: How Unity Health’s Programs Support Toronto’s Homeless Population (oha.com)

Pope Francis’ Intentions for February

For Parishes
We pray that parishes, placing communion at the center, may increasingly become communities of faith, fraternity and welcome towards those most in need.

Moira and Bambi