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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 2009-07-01, Page 18ti Godench Signal -Star, Wednesday, July 1, 2009 - Page A 17 Home At Last service helps seniors settle after hospitalization With family and friends living out of the area, Laura McLarty was worried about how she would get home from her hospital day surgery. The Goderich senior's worries were quickly alleviated when she learned about a new program that would ensure she arrived safely and comfortably home from her hospital stay. Home At Last (HAL) is a free service led by Town and Country Support Services that provides help to older adults to settle in at home after being in the hospital. Working with community part- ners, including Stratford Meals on Wheels and Neighbourly Services, Milverton Community Outreach, Mitchell Community . Outreach, St. Mary's Home Sup- port Services, and VON Perth Huron Community Support Ser- vices, HAL identifies seniors in local hospitals who have limited supports upon discharge or poten- tial concerns regarding how well they may settle when they return home. McLarty learned of the Home At Last program during her pre- op appointment at Clinton Public Hospital. Family and friends lived too far out of the area to be with McLarty and it was recommend- ed that she not go home alone af- ter her day surgery. "For a lot of us, that's a big problem," said McLarty, of hav- ing family and friends available to be there with them after being discharged from the hospital. "It means a lot to know that there are people available to help us" A Personal Support Worker (PSW) from Town and Country met McLarty at the hospital and escorted her back home to God- erich using the transportation services also available through the program. McLarty said she particularly appreciated having someone else at the hospital with her to hear the post-op instruc- tions in case she missed some of the information. When they ar- rived home, the PSW made sure everything was safe in her apart- ment, that she would be able to move safely around her home, and helped her with tasks she was unable to do because of the sur- gery, such as making her bed. The PSW was also available to answer any questions McLarty may have had. "Having someone to talk to means as much as anything," said McLarty, who was happy to use the service again after her second eye surgery. "It was such a terrific experience for me." HAL is a program offered throughout Ontario as part of the Aging at Home initiative and aims to relieve back log of hospi- tal beds while coordinating ser- vices to ensure a safe and efficient transition from hospital to home for older adults. Funded through the South West Local Health In- tegrated Network, the program rinks hospital staff, the South West Community Care Access Centre and local service provid- ers to facilitate a safe and timely discharge from hospital for adults aged 55 and older who are medi- cally stable. Upon discharge from hospital, transportation services are avail- able to get the client safely home and a PSW will stay with the cli- ent for up to four hours. Once home, the PSW will do a safety check of the home, and provide personal care and homemaking services. A complimentary meal is provided, and if needed, the PSW can pick up some groceries and/or prescriptions for the client. Time is given to answer any ques- tions and to review support agen- cies available in the community to meet the client's particular needs. Clients also receive a follow-up call within 48 hours to ensure ev- erything is going alright. "There is a big need for this ser- vice," said Lesley Brown, HAL Supervisor for Town and Country Support Services. She added that people don't always know what services are available to them in their community, so accessing additional supports in the com- munity is made easier through HAL. "We are trying to prevent readmission to hospital." HAL is not just for people who live alone. Brown explained that family members Culbert's roses win best -in -show Photo by Gerard Creces Vicki Culbert's red roses took home best -in -show at the Goderich Hor- ticultural Society's flower show at Suncoast Mall Saturday. Goderich and District Horticultural society held their annual flower show at Suncoast Mall on Sat- urday June 27. The exhibits were plentiful and cov- ered a wide range of plants. Judges saw 107 exhib- its ranging from roses, peonies, iris, ferns, african violets, succulents, cactus, orchids, flower arrange- ments, hosta leaves and many other varieties found in our gardens. Best -in -show prize went to Vicky Culbert for her red roses. Sharon Nevens of Luc - know was the judge for the event. After the ribbons were awarded, the public had a chance to view all the entries. A big thank you to everyone who took part and brought in your best plants for display. Also, thank to all the organizers, especially Sandra Goddard, for all your hard work. Next year we hope to have even more entries as the show is open to everyone. On June 16, Art Fitzgerald was the society's guest speaker. He is a graduate of the Al Gore curriculum and as such, he must give at least 10 seminars a year. He has quite an involvement with environmental is- sues and also with "climate project Canada". We saw slides of glaciers disappearing all over the world . Temperatures and carbon dioxide levels are rising at an alarming rate. We are having more hum - canes as the top 100 meters of water warms up. Sea levels will go up 20 feet if land ice melts in Green- land. There are three factors that contribute to these occurrences. Population explosion, technologies and our way of thinking - all of these predictions can be reversed if people become more conscious of the issues and act accordingly. On August 5 there is an environmental trade show being held in Goderich. Watch the paper for further dates and details. who require assistance getting their loved one home from the hospital can also use the service. But, she added, that HAL is not just a transportation service. The client must use the PSW service to qualify. HAL also coordinates care for those coming from hospi- tals out of the Huron/Perth areas. Since launching last fall, Brown has been travelling across the two counties spreading the word about this program throughout all eight hospitals in Huron and Perth. While most referrals come through Hospital CCAC Case Managers, Brown noted that cli- ents and family members who feel the HAL program would as- sist them can contact her directly for more information can contact her for more information at 1-888- 252-1117. S NOT TOO LA YO PLANK C}tk s�kw a great akdopt 06_ Hanging Baskets, Perennials and Planters) FaTlat of 4 Pack Ann:ials Open: Mon -Fri 8am-5:30pm Sat, 8am-2pm CLOSED JULY 1 and Sundays 166 Bennett St. E., GODERICH 519-524-2 *9 40110•'�`r Habitat � � 1 for Humanity® Huron County eStore • ;GRAND OPENING SATUIIDAY, JULY 4TH 1OAM TO 4PM zr,�r RASHE' Q: unts on Bull n la's & Suppli "`r7 r:x:t ara, Plumb. , �... ares, ElT.. N o SO MUCH 35400 HURON RD. (ZEHR'S PLAZA) FORMER LOCATION OF GIANT TIGER RUST-OLEUM 8100 OVERKRETE FLOOR PAINT/EPDXY 3 GAt KIT mitryik.4