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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1997-10-08, Page 7THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 8,1997. PAGE 7. Maneuvering the levels of senior care By Bonnie Gropp Citizen staff It can be a confusing, even frightening time of life. Senior citizens are enjoying longer lives and greater independence than ever before. But for some the time may come when certain aspects of day-to-day living pose a challenge. You suddenly find yourself incapable of handling certain household tasks. Or you have difficulty remembering important details, like shutting off burners or taking medication. When this happens, where do you turn? Community Care Access Centre for Huron (CCAC), behind Huronview, south of Clinton, helps clients maneuver through the levels of senior care available. Clinical Services Manager Darlene Bogie says when a potential client calls CCAC, they will talk to an access case manager, who will, during the conversation, determine (he individual's needs. "If it is determined that services are required, they forward the person on to a community case manager who then comes to visiL She will ask questions, to get an in- depth look at the person's physical, psycho-socio, and functional needs, such as whether they are able io bathe themselves, prepare meals or clean." Bogie says the idea is to look at all the acts that a person must do in the routine of a normal day and identify areas of assistance. Once the assessment is complete, a plan is discussed. Bogie says the case manager asks the client what they believe their needs are and they work together to reach an agreement At this point options are noted. These could be anything from having meals brought in through such services as Meals on Wheels to having some level of home care. "They look al each of the needs," says Bogie. "The case managers* memory banks are amazing. They know what's out there and can match the best service to meet an individual's needs. They can also tell them the costs." Once the type of assistance needed is determined the case manager, on the consent of the client, returns to the CCAC office and calls the agencies that need to be contacted to arrange services. "Sometimes, if the senior is capable,(and many don't want to give up the independence) the case manager will provide them with the information in written form and ask them if they prefer to make the necessary calls on their own." Many services can be accessed personally. Bogie says, while others like nursing services or physio, which are directly funded by the Ministry of Health, must be accessed through CCAC. "Once Bill 173 is fully proclaimed, then our regulations will change. The criteria that we base the assessments on is going to be a little different," says Bogie. "My personal view is that there should be fewer barriers for the client." While assistance tends to be a gradual process, there are cases more extreme. Bogie says in the To a new home Homes for the aged, such as the county ones, located south of Brussels (pictured) and Clinton, as well as nursing homes, are just one option for seniors who must consider a move to a long-term care facility. circumstances when a client is completely unable to manage living at home alone they must consider a move. The choices are to long term care facilities, retirement homes or supportive housing. The first are county homes for the aged or nursing homes. Basic accommodation in these places runs approximately $41 duly or $1,252 a month. Also offered are semi- privaie roans are about $8 more per day, while private rooms run about $18 more. Subsidies are available for basic accommodation. Eligibility requires an income tax return from the previous taxation year and rotice of assessment from Revenue Canada. Bogie says clients can also apply for a rate reduction and may ask for an income test to be done at the facility at the time of admission. This test determines the entitlement of subsidy if any. People looking at kmg-imn care facilities, says Bogie, have higher needs requirements. The next level is a retirement home. These are private, non­ funded places for people to go to when they no longer want the hassle of their own home, says Bogie. "They have meal packages and most retirement homes offer a little bit — and it varies — of personal care assistance. It is very minimal, however." Supportive housing in Huron (the Heartland Apartments at Huronview and the Highland Apartments at Huronlea, south of Brussels) is a fairly new concept for people whose needs can't be met at home, Bogie says. "Our program for in-home support means that a homemaker comes in for a time perhaps once a week or each day. With supportive housing, however, that support is available throughout the day." What generally happens, she explains, is that, though these people are still living independently, a team supplies care for each apartment resident who requires it, going from one client to the next. "It's kind of a continuous care program rather than a visitation type." Some seniors opt for supportive housing because of the security of knowing someone is nearby. Bogie says supportive bousing has the life­ line system installed which means the residents have a button to alert someone to the fact that they need help. While getting into a long-term care facility requires going through CCAC, moving into a supportive housing complex can be done by going through Town and Country, which gets the funding Designated by the Ministry of Health, the apartments often have waiting lists. Bogie says, however, that people who have a need and are willing to move get first dibs. They also maintain a list of people who don't meet the criteria, but want to be ready should the need arise. NATURALLY Nettle Therapy Program With the many options that need to be considered, clients are asked to make three choices, then each facility has the right to refuse, though a reason must be given. These are based, not on money, Bogie says, but rather on the level of care a person requires or on behaviour. This issue is difficult and Bogie says CCAC is being challenged to find suitable placement for clients who require a lot of technological support. "Presently, these people would end up taking up a hospital bed. Hopefully, this is going to change because of money long-term care received this past summer." Even for the experts the issue of senior care is a complex one. "The differences from 10 years ago is amazing. People are going in at much! higher ages because services have made it possible for them to stay at home a lot longer." We Deliver Your Freedom While such a decision is never an easy one, the process offers the clients the sense that they still have some control of their life. "In cases, such as advanced Alzheimer's it is hoped that the families have gone through the proper channels for quality of care, such as power of attorney, so someone becomes a decision maker." "But usually, if the family is seeking help for a parent, and that person is assessed and found competent and wants to retain the status quo that is the bottom line. She is the decision maker and we have to respect her decision." ' )—( rut ' ' APDTHEEARY SERVICES WE PROVIDE • Foot care clinic 1st Friday off every month by appointment - FREE blood pressure testing during regular business hours • 10% Senior's Discount every Tuesday on non­ prescription items • A private consulting room • Verbal consultation or written Information regarding your medications, herbal products and/or specific diseases • A copy of your personal medication profile for you and your physician - Assistance in selecting non-prescription over- the-counter medications Free local delivery Dan Taylor BSc. Pharm. 523-4210 For emergencies only call 482-9475 with: ■ Home Oxygen ■ Wheelchairs ■ Electric Scooters ■ Hospital Beds ■ Bathroom Equipment ■ Electric Reclining Lift Chairs MED-E-OX 282 Suncoast Drive, Goderich (519) 524-2020 1-800-265-5500