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Times-Advocate, 1986-02-19, Page 7IP' County among six areas chosen by government Tions -Advocate, February 19, 1986 Page 7 New program will aid Nuron!s elderly anti disabled to establish support service programs for the elderly in remote and isolated communities in northern Ontario. By Susan Huadertmnark A recently announced provincial program to help elderly and disabled adults stay at home instead of being institutionalized will goa long way to help the 165 private clients of the Town and Country Homemakers (TCII) agency, says Executive Direc- tor Jean Young. Ai $3 million Integrated Homemaker Program for frail seniors and physically disabled adults, whloh will begin this year in six areas across Ontario including Huron County, is part of a two- pronged $71 million plan to improve community support services for the group. It will eliminate the means or medical tests based on income and il- lness that now determine who qualifies for homecare services. It's a step that groups like the TCH in Huron County have been ad- vocating for the past five years. "In 1980. we were asked down to the provincial legislature in Toronto to look at the situation and three years ago, the government started to talk about announcing a similar program. We've written dozens of letters in that time to show the need in Huron, says Young. Of the 250 seniors with an average age of 85 who receive homemaking services from TCH, 66 percent are private citizens who pay out of their own pockets. "I really feel there is a need here. A study done by the University of Guelph shows that Huron has the highest population of elderly in On- tario and it's hard for some to pay privately when they're living on a pension," she says. Donations to TCH from county and municipal governments in Huron have helped to fulfill the need in the county before funding was approved by the provincial government for homemaking for seniors who did not need professional medical care. "']'tris program should take some of the burden off the local governments and rightly so. This is a provincial problem. But, in the meantime while we knew the province was Working on this program, the county and local governments tried to meet that need," says Young. "I think it's quite a lot for Huron. Our budget for Town and Country Homemakers right now is $500,000 but private people are spending $300,000 out of their own pockets. Most of them should qualify," she says. Young says she can't guess how many seniors or disabled adults who are not now receiving either private- ly or publicly -funded homemaking services will apply for services under the new program. "I have a feeling there's a con- siderable number of people who can benefit from this program„ says Bet- ty Cardno, director of the Huron County Home Care program who will administer the program. "When homemaking is the main need, they would have to be turned down now if there's not a need for a health care professional," she says. Home Care in Huron, which is fund- ed to provide visiting services to acute and chronic patients after physician referrals, buys its homemaking services from TCH. Cardo predicts the demand for TCH's services will increase with the new program. "An elderly person who's just managing may be able to manage another year at home with a small amount of help with cooking, shopp- ing and cleaning. Everything I've ever heard from seniors is that they want to stay at home as long as possi- ble," she says. "I hope to see more end more em- phasis in the next 20 years on home care, especially for people who don't need the professional component. It will leave more beds for the people backlogging the hospitals." Cardo says only a few hours of homemaking a couple days a week can make the difference between peo- ple staying hone and going into an in- stitution. And, when seniors still have the ability to make decisions, it can be very devastating when they are physically unable to stay at.home. The criteria of what constitutes a "fra j " senior or how referrals will be made is not yet clear from the Ministry of Community and Social Services, says Cardno. "It might be that a senior who thinks he needs the service just has to call. I see that we could get a lot of referrals at first," she says. Both Cardo and Young say they're excited about the provision in the pro- CANDLEWICKING INSTRUCTION — At a recent Women's Institute seminar in Crediton, Etta Powe shows condlewicking techniques to Margaret McClure, Lois Hodgins, Diane Finkbeiner and Dorothy Long. The readers write Good water ..• bad decision February 11, 1986 Exeter Times Advocate 424 Main Street, S., Exete Ontario NSM rso Dear%'5ir; • I felt that this was a good occasion to write regarding the good fortune of our community in having water from the Lake Huron System. When one reads of the difficulty of the Village of Rodney's firefighters in containing a major fire there largely due to the lack of water and water pressure one should think with gratitude back to the 60's. Those individuals who then had the responsibility for this community did us a great service by arranging for the water distribution system that we now take for granted. Only when it is interrupted ( which isn't often) do we realize it's importance in our every- day life. We all tend at times to complain about its cost but we should remember that we looked on with en- vy by less fortunate communities. These places pay as much and some times more for a less dependable system. There have been major fires in this community and the system has never let us down. Ask any firefighter local or elsewhere and they will quickly tell you the great benefit of a good system that is well maintained such as Grand Bend is privileged to have. We as a community should count this as one of our blessings.. Cordially yours R.M. (Bob) Sharen recommends that you also pay your own way. Yours for reduced taxes Sam Taylor Hensall, Ontario gram for Alzheimer's victors. "So often, homemaking is what is most needed in Alzheimer's canes. Some will be able to get additional help but that depend? what each in- dividual case Deeds," says Cardo. Representatives from the Ministry of Community and Social Services will be visiting the six counties slated to pilot the integrated homecare pro- gram it discuss the whole process of assessment and eligibility and general guidelines, says spokesper- son Janet Rowney. Those qualifying for free homemaking services will either be referred or actively seeking help, she says. won't have to work through your family doctor. You, your neighbor or relative can pick up the phone and ask for help," says Rowney. The 871 million program is divided into $11 million to maintain and ex- pand community support services for the elderly and $60 million to be spent over the next few years to introduce integrated homemaking across On- tario for frail seniors and the physically disabled. Of the ill million, $2 million will be spent on programs such as Meals on Wheels, friendly visiting, necessary escorted transportation, telephone reassurance checks and home help, $3/4 million on establishing 50 elderly persons' centres; and 5100,000 to in- crease the stipend to Senior Volunteers in Service from $60 to 5100 out-of-pocket expenses. Also included is $40,000 to recruit additional Senior Volunteers in Ser- vice, $60,000 to help the Senior Talent Bank Association establish more talent banks across Ontario and Mm, Mm Good Pie Filling In your own container. Blueberry 1.79.. Peach 1.77lb. Raspberry 1 .68 lb Raisin 1.68Ib Apple 1 . 15 Ib. 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Copies of all major speeches at these types of meetings are available to anyone attending. I suggest your board keeps this in mind when deciding how many peo- ple and who will attend the World Congress on Education in Vancouver this May. When trustee Mr. Graeme Craig of Walton recommends a policy review to allow more of you to attend this conference. I suggest that he also KITCHEN RENOVATIO The "Home' Kitchen Clean, uncluttered lines, doors and drawers in a subtle parch- ment colour, trimmed top and bottom with solid oak. Can be used in laundry rooms, family rooms, dens, cottages etc., several sizes available to meet any need. 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