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Home My WebLink AboutTimes Advocate, 1991-07-03, Page 18Page 16 Times -Advocate, July 3, 1991 COMM 1 JNIIT Health Care organization provides job fulfillment for area nurses By Rhonda Vandeworp HENSALL For Janice Hayter -Oke, being a regis- tered nurse in the intensive care unit of ,r the hospital was not al- ways a ful- filling occu- pation. She wanted a job that would offer her independence, va- riety, and the chance to build rela- tionships with her patients. Vic- torian Order of Nurses for Canada based in Hensall offered her all three. VON is a government -funded organization which provides medi- cal care at home for patients re- covering from surgery, people suf- fering from chronic diseases such as diabetics, mothers and their newborn babies, and palliatives who demand medical assistance up to four times a day. As a sub -unit of Home Care, VON is allocated government dol- lars based on doctor recommenda- tions. Home Care also makes re- ferrals to, and shares OHIP dollars with physio -therapists, occupa- tional therapists, and homemaking services. Hayter -Oke says home treatment NURSING is often recommended by physi- cians instead of hospital care be- cause the familiar surroundings are often more agreeable to a patient. Onll the financial side, VON saves govbrnment dollars because of the cut in hospital costs. Victonan Order of Nurses was founded in 1897, and for the fust 50 years catered almost exclusively to pregnant women and their new- borns. With the aging population, most of the clients are now senior citizens. However, Hayter -Oke stresses the shift to caring for an older clientele does not eliminate the variety of cases. "There is nothing typical in a day. We've got to be flexible and adapt- able because there are too many types of patients we see. A lot of our clients are older, but with nu- merous problems - diabetics with leg ulcers, cancer patients, some re- covering from surgery." The different types of cases and patients is one reason why Hayter - Oke left her position as a hospital nurse, and has remained working with VON for the past six years. "There are so many types of pa- tients we see. In the hospital you are assigned to the surgical floor, the pediatric floor, and so on. Out here we get anything," says Hayter - Oke. Independence and the opportuni- ty to really get to know a patient were two more deciding factors. She explains: "I used to work in intensive care, and suddenly one day I said to my- self, 'I'm dealing with bodies and machines.' You can't talk to people because they can't talk to you. There was nothing there for me. I wanted more. I wanted to know these people for who they were." Visiting people in their homes is a comfortable surrounding for pa- tients, and it allows them to feel at ease with the nurse who visits once a day to change a dressing, or once a week for a routine check-up. Sto- ries which are shared during the visit, and memories that are retold over cups of tea, all contribute to the building of close relationships between the patient and the nurse, says Hayter -Oke. As a result, the the loss of a pa- tient often leaves a void in a VON's life. "Death is imminent, but it is still hard to take," Hayter -Oke says regrettably. For at least one VON, however, the relationships established with the home care recipients is very re- warding and always outweighs any disadvantages of the job. "It all comes from the patients," explains Hayter -Oke. "When they thank you or send you a card, that's your reward. Medical instruction - Janice Hayter -Oke expains to Gordon Morlock of Crediton the benefits and restric- tions of his medication . Seniors have great month EXETER - Lots of fine entertain- ment in June coupled with good hearty meals, and great social times together! O'Canada and our special Grace was sung each week and games were played following the general program June 4 - Florence Finkbeiner pre- sided at keyboard. Grant Mills and Joe Carter won the draw prizes. Alma Langford was our special guest speaker who spoke on, Cele- brating the stages of our Lives'. Her message focused on dealing with life head on, developing the quality of humour, and the ability to see things not only as black and white. June 11 - The high school stu- dent's were back for the last time until next fall. A few were present- ed with appreciation certificates and they even baked some very •tiful and delicious cakes for Maxine Sereda was on ,.. ad for the opening of this program. The highlight centered on Gail Mason and her choir from Hensall and surrounding area. They presented very beautiful gospel mu- sic. June 18 - Wilma Davis on key- board for the opening. Draw prize was won by Jeanne Crocker. School children from Grade 2 and 3 South Huron math winners announced EXETER- This year's math con- test winners were recently an- nounced, with several students from South Huron District High School placing within the top 25 percent in Canada. The best at South Huron were: made nine Pascal Contest, Jason Kramer; grade 10 Cayley Contest, David Morlock; grade 11 Fermat Contest, Casey Lessard; grade 12 Euclid Contest, James Kester, and grade 13 Des Cartes Contest, Da- vid Thiel, who was also the cham- pion of this region, Zone 78. Receiving a certificate of merit for placing in the top 25 percent in Canada were: grade nine, Jason Kramer, Lorna Miller and Troy Duchenne; grade 10, David Mor - lock, Scott Finlayson, Jason Erb, John Soer, Melinda Bell, Steve Farquhar and Molly McClure; grade 11, Casey Lessard, grade 13, via Thiel. (Exeter Public School) with their teachers entertained with songs and on the keyboard. They were thanked by Grant Mills. June 25 - Florence Finkbeiner played the music for opening cere- monies. Three visitors were wel- comed and Lcn McNaughton was welcomed back. A questionnaire regarding future meals and pro- grams was distributed for input to steering committee. Miene Eizenga read a few Bible verses. Jean Allen and Greta Lavender won draw prizes. ALFALFA VALUE DAYS ARE HERE! Buy Five Bags of Alfalfa Get One Bag of Corn Free. For more details ask your local dealer. Brent Dawson RR #1 Hensall, Ont. Phone: 229-6426 ATV MOUNTED 'ICK WEEDER Let W.G. Thompson and Sons help keep your fields clean by eliminating your milkweed problems Call us today ~ . j Seaforth Hensall Mitchell Ailsa Craig Granton Pt. 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