Tale of two vaccine roll-outs: COVID-19 numbers plummet in Toronto’s long-term-care homes, while Ontario’s remain ‘stubbornly high’
By: Jennifer Pagliaro
While the situation in Toronto is a good news story, said Dr. Samir Sinha, the director of health policy research at the NIA in Toronto, there have been delays in getting the rest of the province’s vulnerable seniors vaccinated.
Seniors living at home anxiously await COVID-19 vaccines
Seniors who live independently, as well as their families and doctors, say they've been overlooked in the COVID-19 vaccine rollout as they anxiously wait to find out when it will be their turn to get a shot. Dr. Samir Sinha, Director of Health Policy Research at the NIA joins CBC The National.
Frustration grows among seniors and caregivers over Ontario's COVID-19 vaccine rollout
By: Perlita Stroh
Dr. Samir Sinha, director of health policy research at the NIA has been advocating for the Ontario government to change course and he's grateful it has, but he adds that seniors living in their homes should have been closer to the front of the line for inoculations from the beginning.
"This is absolutely the right thing to do, and it's frankly long overdue," Dr. Sinha said. "Age is the greatest risk factor for getting sick and dying from COVID-19, so that needs to be considered when administering vaccines."
Should all seniors get the COVID-19 vaccine before essential workers?
By: Jacquline LeBei
Dr. Samir Sinha, Director of Health Policy Research at the NIA says that regardless of if the goal is to prevent deaths, lessen the strain on the health-care system or reopen the economy, the approach should be the same: vaccinate seniors first.
Why didn't we learn from our mistakes: Dr. Samir Sinha has questions for Ontario's Long Term Care Commission
Dr. Samir Sinha, Director of Health Policy Research at the NIA joins CBC's Metro Morning. He was the first person to speak at Ontario Long Term Care Commission looking in to the deadly outbreaks.
What Will Canada Do to Fix Its Senior Care Fail?
By: Christopher Guly
Dr. Samir Sinha, director of health policy research at the NIA said that the amount Canada spends on publicly funded long-term care is one-third less than the average by the 37 member countries of the Organization of Economic Co-operation and Development.
He said more money, too, should go to supporting frail people at home. “We also spend a disproportionate amount of our dollars — 87 cents of every dollar — to warehouse people in care homes as opposed to supporting them in their homes. In the average OECD country, a third of their spending goes toward the provision of home and community care — or about three times more than what we spend,” he explained.
Why proper home care should be a cornerstone of how our health system looks after seniors
By: Elizabeth Niedra
Home care also matters for the happiness and well-being of patients. According to a recent report from the National Institute on Aging, nearly all older people surveyed in Ontario would prefer to age in their own home rather than in a care facility.
Science Table doctor answers COVID19 vaccine questions
Dr. Alykhan Abdulla, Chair of Family Practice with the MA, and Dr. Nathan Stall, Associate Fellow at the NIA and Assistant Scientific Director of Ontario's COVID-19 Science Advisory Table, answer concerns about everything from the vaccine altering DNA to whether it contains mercury.
Talkin’ ‘bout Generation Risk Profiles
Jodi Butts is joined by Dr. Samir Sinha, geriatrician and Health Policy Research Director for the National Institute on Ageing, and Vass Bednar, Executive Director of McMaster University’s Master of Public Policy Program, to discuss the policy opportunities for improving the risk profiles of older Canadians and Millennials.
Geriatrician ‘Pretty Unsatisfied’ With Long-Term Care Commission Testimony On Vaccine Rollout To Seniors’ Homes
By: Sneh Duggal
Dr. Nathan Stall, Associate Fellow at the NIA said it seemed as though the decision to bring the vaccines into hospitals first was done almost from a "convenience standpoint."
Vaccine priority for elderly ‘massively important’
Dr. Samir Sinha, Director of Health Policy Research at the NIA, joined CP24 to explain why it's so important to prioritize the elderly in the COVID-19 vaccine rollout.
Web portal, service desk in the works for Ontario COVID-19 vaccine appointments
By: Holly McKenzie-Sutter
Dr. Samir Sinha, director of health policy research at the NIA, said he was "elated" to see the vaccine priority list updated to include those over 80. Dr. Nathan Stall, NIA Associate Fellow, said greater clarity is needed on the timing of the broader vaccine rollout
Geriatrician on urgency to get seniors vaccinated
The CBC's Chris Glover speaks to Dr. Samir Sinha, Director of Health Policy Research at the NIA who argues that it's of the utmost urgency to get all Ontario's seniors vaccinated, irrespective of where they live, not just because it's a moral responsibility — but also because it will hugely benefit wider society.
Quebec inquiry hearing in to LTC deaths
Dr. Samir Sinha, Director of Health Policy Research at the NIA, talks to CTV News about allegation of abuse and negligence at Herron long-term care and housing centre.
Shortage of nursing homes geared to ethnic groups a ‘disaster’ for aging immigrant population
By: Olivia Bowden
Dementia patients often revert to early memories, like their childhood and first language. Helping them engage with those aspects can keep them stimulated, said Dr. Samir Sinha, Director of Health Policy Research at the NIA “If you don’t address those issues in a respectful way, and in a safe way, you can actually create further trauma,” he said.
New variant identified in BC and potential third wave
Dr. Samir Sinha, director of health policy research at the NIA, joins CTV News to discuss the latest COVID-19 news.
Province releases updated guidance on ‘next priority’ for COVID-19 vaccines, including seniors over 80, and all Indigenous adults
By: Urbi Khan
Dr. Samir Sinha, the director of director of health policy research at the NIA, speaking before the change in policy, said the previous approach was flawed and would “lead to more deaths that are not necessary.”
Government updates on border restrictions
Dr. Samir Sinha, Director of Health Policy Research at the NIA, joins Angie Seth to discuss mandatory COVID-19 testing and hotel quarantine measures. "we're seeing exponential growth of the new variants and it can be more deadly," he said.
Rapid Testing in Ontario LTC Homes
Dr. Samir Sinha, Director of Health Policy Research at the NIA joined CBC's Power and Politics to discuss the planned roll out of rapid testing in Ontario’s LTC Homes.
"This is definitely not the time to relax": doctor
Dr. Samir Sinha, director of health policy research at the NIA joined CP24 to discuss easing lockdown restrictions and the dangers of the new COVID-19 variant.
