Dr. Richard Johnston knew the health care system was in trouble when he walked down a hallway at University of Alberta Hospital and saw an older woman housed in a linen closet instead of a proper room.
Author: Linda Givetash
Linda Givetash is a Canadian-South African freelance journalist based in Vancouver, B.C. Her work has appeared in print, digital and broadcast media outlets around the globe.
Happy at home
Seventy-year-old Paul Morrison is among 700,000 Canadians living with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. Despite the diagnosis, Morrison continues to live alone in his Vancouver home. This story is about the people and resources helping Morrison maintain his independence.
A source of hope in early-onset dementia
Retired nurse Nita Levy and her husband, Michael, a retired accountant, established Paul’s Club in 2012. They were inspired to create a program appropriate for people’s ages and abilities after their brother-in-law, Paul, died as a result of early-onset dementia.
Enrolment at private schools growing after B.C. teachers’ strike
Enrolment at independent schools across British Columbia has spiked this year, and the 2014 five-week public-school teachers’ strike is part of the reason, says a spokesman for a group representing private institutions.
Open enrolment policies raise test scores, report says
Apolicy change that gave parents greater choice in where to enroll their children encouraged B.C. schools to “up their game” and improved students’ test results, a new report says.
Downtown Eastside businesses look to improve relations with residents
Businesses in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside are collaborating with local activists and community groups to improve relations with local residents.
Ministry questioned over $350,000 social media campaign during BCTF strike
Teachers and politicians are questioning the B.C. Ministry of Education for spending more than $350,000 on a digital media campaign during the teachers strike last year.
Yes campaign looks to student voters for support in transit plebiscite
About 105,000 students are eligible to vote in the transit plebiscite, and many of them use public transit, said Bahareh Jokar, co-chair of the Better Transit and Transportation Coalition.
First Nations leaders highlight ‘massive need’ for reform in mining industry
First Nations leaders say regulatory changes for the mining industry are needed to prevent a repeat of the Mount Polley tailings dam collapse.
Vancouver clinic looks to recruit sexually active gay men for blood donations
Despite decades of being banned from giving blood, sexually active gay men are now being asked to donate to a Vancouver clinic that is doing research into blood products.
Vancouver for Sale: Election 2014
“While the provincial government is to blame for not imposing campaign finance reforms at the municipal level, smaller party candidates are railing against big spending by donors to the NPA and Vision in BC’s biggest city.”
Health research in SA short R1.6 billion
Bongani Mayosi, head of the department of medicine at the University of Cape Town, explains the shortfall in government spending for health research and suggests how the problem can be corrected.
Rape culture blames victims, normalises violence – experts
Every day, news headlines feature stories about incidents of rape and sexual assault in communities across the country. Although rape is incredibly prevalent, many offences go unreported.
A third of South Africans affected by mental illness – expert
July is Mental Illness Awareness Month and the South African Depression and Anxiety Group is encouraging people to seek help.
Child protection week
Innovation is key to future of B.C. health-care system
More seniors, chronic illnesses, and tighter budgets will add up to mounting pressure on health services in the coming years — but this might not be cause for alarm.
Vancouver’s medical and tech sectors come together for innovative health apps
Auti-Sim, a game currently available for free online, was created by a developer, designer, and early childhood educator in Vancouver. Set in a virtual playground, the game allows users to see and feel what childhood play is like for someone with the hypersensitive hearing that can result from autism.
Mental Health Week encourages women to speak out
With her blond hair shimmering in the sun as she watched ferries sail by, the 27-year-old showed no sign of the mood swings and depression that have plagued her mind for much of her life.
A GP for Me program aims to help you find a family doctor
In Vancouver, it is estimated that over 100,000 people don’t have a family doctor and about 24,000 are actively looking for one, according to the Vancouver Division of Family Practice.
Anxious times for West End store owners
“We’ve been shouldering this for quite a long time and it’s pretty hard,” said Zhang. “We were hoping the landlord [would] come up with a solution so we could help each other, we could stay with more reasonable rent.”“It’s not happening and so we have to find a lower-rent place.”