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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2014-04-09, Page 1212 Huron Expositor • Wednesday, April 9, 2014 Gateway Rural Health Research Institute Report on status of volunteering in investigating medicine -organizing device Huron County presented to council Gateway Rural Health Research Institute is pleased to be conducting a new research project investigating effect of a medication -organizing device on medication adherence and clinical outcomes. The head investigator, Than Phan, already has the study well underway and is looking for participants. A research team from the University ofWaterloo, School of Pharmacy is conducting a study in collaboration with Gateway Rural Health Research Institute and the Huron Community Family Health Team to investi- gate the use of a medication organizing device in helping patients with complex medica- tion regimens manage their medications. Manufacturing WAS anticipated to complete by mid-March, and the tool will be provided free -of -charge to enrolled study participants. The device was developed by Dr. Harry Wingate, an emer- gency doctor out of observation that many patients come to the emergency room without know- ing what medications they are taking and do not have an organizing way to store their medications at home which negatively affected the care ' Mif-r$F2r ....zg - C.:Fog-LAM:Fp Er W.LLIti L chnelder5 WAY I.T. El 1.1 LD D114 =Hai 85 Mario Rd. 51:9.248.0042 WA'i yeervcs'-dawlimder5 corn cribirwril CE.1-41PUDIPIIINC CPIRFVTTH CREC RPJIR WE*. I dRrERNET RCRIIR umoucima R Elam kiCiAr MI I 11{11:1 LYN 6 IN TONE 1:1 IT'S NATIONAL VOLUNTEER WEEK! On behalf of the girls in Ontario THANK YOU! For helping girls to achieve greatness! Priflide• .XCandli Make a Difference. VOLUNTEER TODAY! guidesontario.org 1-800-565-8111 they received. According to a press release, the tool essentially functions as a portable medica- tion cabinet to help patients organize their medication vials, pillboxes, medical infor- mation, and appointment calendar and also to help physicians monitor medication tak- ing behaviors and track clinical parameters. There has been no known commercially available similar device on the market, the press release stated. The research team is very interested to see the effect of using such a device on assisting patients and healthcare providers manage complex medication regimens. Preliminary surveys have showed rather strong interests in patients and healthcare providers in such a tool. Toronto -company offering special tour pricing for veterans Huron -Bruce MP Ben Lobb would like to spread the word about special tour pric- ing for veterans and one caregiver who would like to go to Juno Beach in June. EF Educational Tours in Toronto is tak- ing over 900 Canadian students and edu- cators to Juno Beach in June to participate in the remembrance ceremonies for the 70th anniversary of D -Day. With the recent announcement by Vet- erans Affairs Canada regarding the travel subsidy for veterans of D -Day and the Nor- mandy Campaign, EF is offering special tour pricing for veterans and one caregiver. Any individuals interested in partici- pating in this travel opportunity can con- tact Jennifer Ely at 1-800-387-1460 orjen- nifer.ely@ef.com. Ely is the tour manager for all veterans. -MEM ATTENTION ADVERTISERS! DEADLINES Our Weekly Deadlines are as follows: ADVERTISING & EDITORIAL Friday @ 2:00 pm Ilion Expositor 8 Main St., Seaforth PH: 519-527-0240 www.seaforthhuronexpositor.com OFFICE HOURS: Mon. - Fri. 9am - 5pm CLOSED TUESDAYS Social research and planning council makes recommendations Dave Flaherty QMI Agency Despite Huron County's strong vol- unteer base, there are some issues that will need to be addressed to keep it that way. That was part of the message deliv- ered to county councillors by Tracy Birtch and Larry Marshall of the United Way of Perth -Huron's social research and planning council at the April 2 meeting. Birtch and Marshall were presenting the findings of a study that looked at the state of volunteering in Huron and Perth counties. Birtch said volunteers in Huron County provided 4 million hours last year, which equates to about 2,000 full- time jobs. Eighty-four percent of not-for-profit organizations report they would not be able to exist without volunteers. According their report, roughly one- half of Canadians volunteer, which is up 6 per cent since 2007 and up 12 per cent since 2004. Although the number of Canadians who volunteer is up, they are generally putting in less hours. The council was able to identify seven issues from its study; There are not enough volunteers to meet up with the demand for service A lack of volunteer co -coordinators and standards and practice An aging volunteer population with a small minority doing the majority of the work No "one stop shop" for those looking for volunteer opportunities or services in the region An area the size of Huron County leads to geographical challenges A changing society in terms of peo- ple's view of volunteering and their priorities Mounting paperwork and screening processes for volunteers Some of the recommendations made by the council were to review local web- sites to make volunteer opportunities more readily available, review volunteer recruitment strategies, access the need for a "volunteer centre" whether it be online or physical location and to look at the feasibility and creation of a vol- unteer network. Birtch said they have sent out invita- tions to local groups to be involved with the discussions. Goderich Deputy Mayor John Grace asked to what level are volunteers in Huron County recognized. "If you want to retain them you need to appreciate them," Grace said. Birtch said the council totally agrees, commenting, "they (volunteers) are the very heart of our community." Annual sugar bush outing enjoyed by all Ruth Campbell Winthrop correspondent The snow is gradually disappear- ing, which prevents flooding, which quite often happens. The speaker for last Sunday's serv- ice at Cavan United was Murray Scanlon. Minister Mary was at the service. Grace Dolmage lit the Christ candle. The children's story was to see each day as a new day. The message was titled "The Power of One." We can't change others but we can change our priorities. We should uplift others, not tear them down. The choir sang "I Just Keep Trust- ing My Lord:' After the service everyone was invited to McGavins for our annual sugar bush outing and enjoying pancakes and syrup. About 26 members from the Thursday morning coffee group traveled to Anna Mae's restaurant in Millbank for their annual wind-up. As usual, a good meal was enjoyed by all. Sheila Nicol visited recently with her mother, Beatrice Campbell. Food for Thought Finding the right road isn't always going the well -beaten path. www.seaforthhuronexpositor com