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Home My WebLink AboutTimes Advocate, 1995-01-11, Page 9-t Second section - January 11 1995 Palilative care forms close bonds The Victorian Order of Nurses recognizes its visiting volunteers during VON week By Heather Vincent T -A staff THEDFORD - The Victorian Order of Puttees is holding VON week between January 23 and 28. This event provides information about the services which are available to individuals in major centres as well as in Huron County. The VON is a national, non-profit, voluntary health care organizer. It provides nurses and other health care professionals and support service workers and volunteers to people throughout Canada. VON believes that individuals have primary responsibility for their own health. In addition to the visiting nursing programs, the VON also provides volunteer services programs such as the Friendly Visitor program and the Get Seniors Errands and Transportation program. Volunteer Services has also established a Palliative Care Volunteer Program to improve the quality of life for people living out their days at home in familiar surroundings. Mary Thompson of Grand Bend is a visiting volunteer who provides a valuable service to improve the quality of live for Phyllis Ward, a palliative care client in Thedford. The program provides those remaining in their homes with social contact and helps them to live independently. Regular one-to-one weekly visits allow a friendship to develop between the volunteer and • an elderly or disabled person. Volunteers are carefully screened and matched with appropriate clients. Thompson and Ward were paired about three years ago and Ward says that the volunteer she was assigned, "saved my life." After moving to 'Medford from Arizona to be near her family, Ward experienced health problems. The VON would have been contacted by her physician to arrange for a visiting volunteer. Ward also takes advantage of a homemaker twice a week and a nurse once a week. The goal of these programs is to allow clients to live in their independently in their homes as long as possible. Thompson was interested in participating in the VON program, she said the one-to-one contact appealed to her the most. She received an eight week training course which provided medical background and impressed upon her how important is the sic.) l of listening "She walked in and that was it... she has become a precious friend." VON salutes volunteers Visiting volunteer Mary Thompson of Grand Bend enjoys here weekly visits with Phyllis Ward of Thedford. Pictured above, Thompson helps Ward with her correspondence. to the clients. Thompson says that the visits are very fulfilling. "It is a two way street, the volunteer gets as much out of it as the client," she said. When the two were assigned to one another, they instantly formed a bond. Ward said, "She walked in and that was it... she has become a precious friend." Ward and Thompson often go shopping together as Ward cannot do this by herself. Thompson takes Ward out for lunch or helps her with her correspondence. Most of all, the two can talk for hours and they have become very special friends. For more information about the services provided by the VON oho become a volunteer, call (519) 332-0230. Special friendships Mary Thompson (right), finds that the volunteer gets as much out of the VON visiting volunteer program as the client. Phyllis Ward (left) says that try have developed a very special friendship. • LIR !a PA Lila 11111111111•1111111111111111:1111141X IMIX a LI LI 14'4 ti Ma I I Lill I 4 MI LW MALI Ma 14 LI LI I -1A gt114 111-114 itst‘AFEsi YAMAHA c> TEST DRIVE A YAMAHA TODAY DOOR PRIZES THE POSSUM LODGE SUNDAY, JANUARY 1 , 1995 NOON - 4:00 P.M. DIRECTIONS: • From Highway 84 EAST of Zurich take concessio South to 2nd crossroad, turn left. • From Highway 83, EAST of Dashwood take concession 7-8 NORTH to first crossroad, turn right, POSSUM LODGE Is located on your right) 130 Centre St., Dashwood 237-3322 HOURS: Mon. -Fri. 8 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. • Sat. 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. The Last Word In Coming In First. You've heard about them. Now come and see the new sleds that dominated the racing circuit. Right out of the crate, the ZRs eamed a reputation for being first at the finish line. A high-performance combination of power and handling make the ZRs all-around winners. And with four models to choose from -- ZRTTM 800, ZRTM 700, ZRTM580 and ZRTM 440 -- the only hard part will be deciding which one to get. STOCK IS LIMITED! DON'T MISS OUT! CALL TODAY! ARCTIC CAT World Class Snowmobiles. - ALSO rldClassSnowmobiles•- ALSO AVAILABLE... 1 ONLY 1992 Wildcat with reverse VERY FAST... VERY CLEAN BECKER Products Inc. 600 Main St. S. Exeter, Ont. Ph• (519) 735-7757 Fax: (519) 135-4067 i HWY. *84 POSSUM LODGE , H W Y. *4 HWY. *83 DIRECTIONS: • From Highway 84 EAST of Zurich take concessio South to 2nd crossroad, turn left. • From Highway 83, EAST of Dashwood take concession 7-8 NORTH to first crossroad, turn right, POSSUM LODGE Is located on your right) 130 Centre St., Dashwood 237-3322 HOURS: Mon. -Fri. 8 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. • Sat. 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. The Last Word In Coming In First. You've heard about them. Now come and see the new sleds that dominated the racing circuit. Right out of the crate, the ZRs eamed a reputation for being first at the finish line. A high-performance combination of power and handling make the ZRs all-around winners. And with four models to choose from -- ZRTTM 800, ZRTM 700, ZRTM580 and ZRTM 440 -- the only hard part will be deciding which one to get. STOCK IS LIMITED! DON'T MISS OUT! CALL TODAY! ARCTIC CAT World Class Snowmobiles. - ALSO rldClassSnowmobiles•- ALSO AVAILABLE... 1 ONLY 1992 Wildcat with reverse VERY FAST... VERY CLEAN BECKER Products Inc. 600 Main St. S. Exeter, Ont. Ph• (519) 735-7757 Fax: (519) 135-4067 i