HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1992-02-05, Page 12PAGE 12. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 5,1992.
Brussels residents discuss long- term care
Some 50 people were present at a
meeting in Brussels United Church
on Wednesday, January 30, to offer
their input into the government's
proposed redirection of Long-term
care and Support Services.
In welcoming everyone Barb
Barton-McMillan said she was
pleased with the turnout, adding
that the issue is a concern for
everyone. "If you don't need the
service today, you will certainly
need it tomorrow."
Long-term care refers to a very
broad range of personal care, sup
port and health services provided to
people who have limitations that
prevent them from participating in
everyday activities. Typically, the
people using long-term care ser
vices are elderly, disabled or have a
chronic or prolonged illness.
The document compiled suggest
ing proposals to restructure the pre
sent system is a combined effort of
the Ministries of Social Services,
Health and Citizenship. In atten
dance at Thursday night's meeting,
was Linda Gerard of the Ministry
of Social Services.
She said the thrust is to establish
programs that help people live as
independently as possible for as
long as possible and secondly to
keep the present programs that we
have in place.
"We are looking at how to make
the best use of our available
resources, making sure we can
afford our long-tenn care system."
In explaining the proposals sug
gested by the government, Ms Ger
ard first listed the values of what is
offered now. The first solution to
long-term care that we have now is
family members, she said. "This is
great, but our families have other
responsibilities. How can we offer
help?" asked Ms Gerard. The gov
ernment has proposed a system that
would oiler the caregiver an oppor
tunity for more individual time,
something not paid for or provided
right now. It would have to be
established, however, to accommo
date the schedule of the family
member. "We can't dictate it," she
said. "We have to be fair about
what we expect families to do.
Sometimes a person gives so much
care they give up their life."
The same is true of friends who
act as caregivers, she added.
Community programs were the
next topic of discussion by Ms Ger
ard. Ideas like meals on wheels,
home care, Town and Country
Homemakers and friendly visiting
are working well, but how can they
be improved upon, she asked. The
government has suggested that a
system be worked out so that indi
viduals requiring it could get more
than the present maximum of three
hours a day home care. "There has
to be a limit to what's economically
feasible, however," she said.
Also, Ms Gerard suggested better
coordination so that there is one
agency and one phone number for
better access to all the services
available.
Other improvements proposed
are better training and pay for
workers, more flexibility in the
hours, and a fair and consistent fee
schedule - presently meals on
wheels in Huron cost $3.50, in
London they are $7.50.
More senior housing that sup
ports them on a 24 hour basis
would be an excellent safety net,
for seniors with minimal concerns
about living alone. Many, Ms Ger
ard says, move out of their homes
simply because they can't handle
their own medication.
"There should be a provincial
guideline to ensure quality.
Presently for home services there
are none, nor are their inspections
or regulatory control," said Ms
Gerard.
The role of hospitals in long-term
care, has been abused, Ms Gerard
said. "The only way to improve on
them is to use them for the purpose
they were intended, " she said,
explaining is only for people who
are really sick. "We have abused
them in the past. Now we want to
know that they're going to be there
in the future."
The issue of government regulat
ed homes and nursing homes was
far more complex than the others,
but the bottom line is a standard
level of funding. Ms Gerard said
the proposal is for individuals to
pay a fee of $35 a day for room and
board, with the government picking
up the remainder.
After explaining the proposal Ms
Gerard opened the floor for ques
tions. One woman, a caregiver to
a senior who is developmentally
handicapped says in seeking gov
ernment funding this man always
seems to "fall through the cracks.
From what I'm seeing, the paper
falls short of this man's particular
needs," she said.
Ruth Sauve asked why the
province has never considered giv
ing money to the municipalities to
run their own affairs. She believes
that with that money volunteers
would come out to offer their help.
"If people have control they can
meet the needs of their particular
community best," Ms Barton-
McMillan said.
Responding to a concern about
advocacy. Ms Gerard said she
expected there would be an appeal
system.
"There is a change of attitude
about growing old. People are
becoming more comfortable with
aging," said Ms Gerard.
She urged people to get a copy of
the document and respond to the
proposals. "If you feel strongly
about this you have got to tell the
government. I can't emphasize that
enough."
ANGLICAN CHURCH
OF CANADA
Rev. E. Paul Acton 887-9273
5th Sunday after Epiphany - Feb. 9 (M.P.)
TRINITY, BLYTH ST. JOHN'S , BRUSSELS
9:30 a.m. 11:15 a.m.
BRUSSELS UNITED CHURCH
Rev. Cameron McMillan
Church Office 887-6259 Manse 887-9313
11:00 a.m.- Worship Service
- "Jesus Calls for Fishermen
-Church School -Nursery
-Ethel Worship Service9:30 a.m.
Lord, help us to walk In your way and do your will
HURON CHAPEL MISSIONARY
CHURCH
PASTOR JAMES H. CARNE AUBURN 526-7515
10 a.m. - Family Bible Hour
11 a.m. - Morning Service
8 p.m. - Evening Service
Wednesday - Prayer & Bible Study
Friday 7:30 p.m. - Youth
MELVILLE
Mental health office opens in Clinton
Cutting edge
A Huron office for the Canadian Mental Health Association opened last Wednesday in
Clinton. The office will provide information about programs available to county residents. Dr.
Harry Ciesler, chairman of the board of directors, (left), Ruth Schlacht, Co-ordinator, and
Murray Taylor, Mayor of Clinton took part in the ribbon cutting to open the new office.
The Huron County branch of the
Canadian Mental Health Associa
tion marked a new milestone last
week when it opened an office in
Clinton.
The Huron county chapter start
ed in 1986 and the recent expansion
was made possible through a five-
year funding program from the
Trillium Foundation.
Dr. Harry Ciesler of Goderich,
chairman of the Huron board of
directors, Clinton Mayor Murray
Taylor and Ruth Schlacht took part
in the ribbon cutting for the new
office.
The office, and an upstairs
board room, will be the focal point
for information and services from
the Canadian Menial Health Asso
ciation. Among the programs
offered are: Living Colour, a pro
gram which guides elementary
school teachers to help their stu
dents build self-esteem and develop
communications skills; Interlink, an
intergenerational program which
brings together older adults and
young children in the celebration of
words and music; Step Forward, a
social and recreational program
which assists adults experiencing
mental health difficulties to estab
lish themselves as contributing
members of their community.
The office also provides pam
phlets and a lending library service.
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
BRUSSELS
Rev. Carolyn McAvoy
11:00 a.m. - Morning Service
- Sunday School
9:30 a.m. -Belgrave Service
We welcome you to come and
worship with us.
BLYTH CHRISTIAN
REFORMED CHURCH
HIGHWAY 4, BLYTH
DR. W. H. LAMMERS
Sunday at 10 a.m.
Sunday School 11:00 a.m.
The farewell service tor Dr. Lammers will be held at
7:30 p.m. Sunday, February 9th
********
The Church of the "Back to God Hour" and "Faith 20"
Back to God Hour 10:30 a.m. CKNX Sunday
Faith 20 5:00 a.m. Weekdays, Global T.V.
All Visitors ‘Welcome 'Wheelchair accessible
"...as for me and my household,
we will serve the Lord. " Joshua 24:15
BRUSSELS MENNONITE
FELLOWSHIP
9:30 a.m. Sunday Worship Service
10:30 a.m. Christian Education Hour
12 Noon Fellowship Potluck Lunch
7:30 p.m. Winter Bible School
at Brussels Mennonite
Pastor Tom Warner Elder: Sharon Freeman
887-6388 887-6564
Valentine's Adult Fellowship
Saturday, February 15 at 7:00 p.m.
Theme: "Keeping our hearts sweet"
Bring your spouse and/or friends
Bring your favourite dessert