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
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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
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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.
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