The Goderich Signal-Star, 1986-12-24, Page 20PAGE 20 GODERICH SIGNAL -STAR. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 24,1986
T Ort t to e sensitive
to issue specific
invitations — the bereaved may oiten ue
too passive or fearful to reach out. The
best gift that you can give them at
anytime, but especially at Christmas, is
'unhurried listening' if you are privileged
to be that trusted person. It is especially
helpful if they are able to talk with so-
meone who has had to adjust to the loss of
a loved one.
"Grief is the price we pay for loving" —
for making that commitment, according to
Colin Murray Parkes. Leading authorities
say that 'the bereaved constitute a further
sector of health care neglect. They are
known to be a high risk population with an
increased incidence of suicide, car-
diovascular deaths, G.I. complaints, anx-
iety, depression, functional disorders and
visits to family physicians, and yet their
needs are usually ignored!
bT tAiN 1.44 is kr6i- ;E -,,,t
CONSULTANT IN PALLIATIVE CARE
While this article may not appear timely
in light of the Christmas festive season,
where there is increased emphasis on be-
ing merry and the Christian community
focuses on the joyful event of the birth of
Christ; it can be useful in creating an
understanding for the recently bereaved
and the community at large. It is impor-
tant to be sensitive to particularly difficult
times, such as birthdays; Christmas, and
the first anniversary of the death, and to
reach out to people on such occasions.
Christmas is a lonely time of the year for
many people, and it is especially so for the
recently bereaved. Lonelin-ss is increased
because it is not a shared experience, as
every member of the family grieves dif-
ferently based on their relationship to the
deceased. It is important to include them
to bereaved during the holidays
Significant uereavement constitutes a
'.12 although ex-
ceedingly painful, can eventualiy lead to
personal growth and greater understan-
ding of one's self and others if the right
support is available at the right time. This
help can come from family, friends, pro-
fessional and community services.
Sometimes all that is required is to be a
good listener, sharing of tears, feelings
and memories can be both helpful and
healing in the grieving process.
The suppression of grief can manifest
itself in physical and emotional problems.
Knowing some of the normal reactions to
grief can be helpful to the survivors and
those who wish to be supportive. We should
be aware that feelings of hostility towards
the dead are natural at one stage of the
grief process, as are feelings of guilt fot
what has happened. Self blame is not un-
common, especially with a sudden death.
Feelings of anxiety, forgetfulness,
sieepiessness, iiisu p: •?,-wi,:ion
making are common experiences.
Physicall symptoms may include a feeling
of tightness in - the throat, difficulty
swallowing, choking and shortness of
'breath, deep sighing, lack of muscular
power and intense distress, tension or
mental pain are common in the acute
stage of grief, according to Joy Rogers
Clark Institute of Psychiatry, Toronto.
The Clark Institute, assisted by Com-
munity Contacts for the Widowed and
Bereaved Families of Ontario, cornpiled
suggestions on 'Dealing with Grief', .ocus..
ing on psychological, physical, economic
and spiritual help: "Everyone needs help,
don't be afraid to accept it. Express feel-
ings to someone you can trust. Do not
neglect your health at this time. Mo,;u peo-
pie hind it hcsi to remain settled in familiar
Sur Soundings until they can consider their
future more calmly. Seek expert advise
before making major financial decisions.
Try not to make major life decisions within
the first year unless absolutely necessary.
Personal faith is frequently a major
source of comfort, for some, maintaimng
faith may be difficult during this period of
loss. Either reaction may occur and both
are consistent with later spiritual growth.
Don't be afraid to cry and don't be afraid
to reach out for help from friends, lawyer,
clergy, funeral director or support
organization". Give someone a gift of time
and friendship this Christmas. Recom-
mended readings: Beginnings, a book for
widows, by Betty Jane Wylie; The
Widower, by Kohn and Kohn; Living with
an Empty Chair, by Roberta Temes; What
Helped Me When a Loved One Died.
RENT ' EVV UPDATE FOR TENANTS AND LAN DLORDS
The Ministry of Housing announc' s the
Rent Review Guideline for 197
�
The Rent Review Guideline for next year has been calculated at 5.2 per cent. This is theamount by
from the
which a landlord can increase the maximum rent for a unit during 1987 without approval
Ministry of Housing.
Ingassin the Residential Rent Regulation Act, 1986, the Ontario Government has created a
p
new system of rent review for the Province ofOntario to increase protection for tenants and to
encourage the construction of new rental housing.,,�at reflects
One of the important features of this new legislation is a Rent Review Guideline
changes in inflation and promotes proper building maintenance for tenants.
T he
major features of the Residential,
Rent Regulation Act are:
• The extension of rent review to
cover all private rental units in
Ontario.
• The creation of a streamlined rent review
process, designed to be accessible, quicker and
ensure consistency.
• The establishment of a flexible Rent Review
Guideline, adjusted annually to reflect changes
in inflation and other economic factors.
• The creation of an Ontario -wide Rent Registry
to record the maximum legal rent for every
rental unit in the province.
• A Residential Rental Standards Board to
ensure the proper maintenance of all rental
properties in Ontario.
The Guideline has changed.
Until now, the Guideline has been a fixed amount
that did not change with economic conditions.
The new Rent Review Guideline will be
adjusted annually. It will be calculated using
the most up-to-date components of the
Consumer Price Index and other economic
indicators. And it will apply to all rental units
in the province.
How the new Rent Review
Guideline is calculated.
• The formula used to calculate the 5.2 per
cent Guideline for 1987 is based on changes
in the cost of maintaining a typical well-
run rental building.
• The new Guideline calculates the average
change in costs over the preceding three-
year period.
• Tenants receive greater protection in times
of high inflation.
• Landlords have sufficient funds for good
building maintenance. A new Residential
Rental Standards Board will help ensure
proper maintenance of rental units through-
out Ontario, and failure to meet these
standards may result in either suspension
or forfeiture of rent increases.
fa
Tenants can apply for a
review of rent LT.creases
that are at or below
the Guideline.
Tenants who wish to challenge a 5.2 per cent
Guideline increase may apply to the Ministry
of Housing forrat `fe° iewrowsucl' grounds
as changes in the standard of maintenance
and repairs.
Landlords are required to
justify a rent increase
greater than the Guideline.
A landlord who requests more than the 5.2 per
cent Guideline increase must apply to the
Ministry of Housing for rent review to justify the
increase. The landlord and tenants will review
the matter with staff of the Ministry of Housing
at a local Rent Review Office. A decision
reached at the local level may be appealed by
either the tenant or landlord to the newly -
created Rent Review Hearings Board.
The Guideline will be
announced by August 31
each year.
In future, the Ministry of Housing will announce
the Guideline by August 31 for the upcoming year
Some landlords have already served°their
tenants with notices of a rent increase due early
in 1987.
Tenants in buildings
constructed after 1975 are
protected for the first time.
These are tenants whose units are being brought
under rent review by this Act.
• Landlords who have charged tenants more
than the Guideline since August 1, 1985, will be
given a 60 -day period early in the new year to
justify these increases.
• Landlords not applying to rent review within
the 60 -day period must rebate excess rents to
tenants.
• For the present, tenants should pay the amount
requested in the notice from their landlord until
the matter is resolved by rent review.
• Under no circumstances should tenants make
immediate deductions from their rent cheques.
Ontario
Ministry
of
Housing
Hon. Alvin Curling, Minister
111111 11111
Only on rent increase
allowed annually.
• Landlords must give tenants at least 90 days
written notice of a rent increase.
• The rent for a unit can be increased only
once in a 12 -month period.
liln�l
Tenants in buildings
constructed before 1976
continue to be protected.
These are tenants whose units were under rent
review prior to the passage of the new Act and
whose units continue to be under rent review.
• If the landlord's rent notice is for less than the
5.2 per cent Guideline, the tenant should pay
the amount in the notice.
• If the landlord's rent notice is for more than
the 5.2 per cent Guideline, the most the tenant
should pay is 5.2 per cent.
• If the landlord has applied to the Residential
Tenancy Commission for a 1986 rent increase
but has not yet received a final order, the tenant
should pay the amount hi the landlord's notice
or 4 per cent, whichever is less.
• If the landlord has been to rent review and has
received a decision, the tenant must pay the
amount approved by the Residential Tenancy
Commission.
For more information, complete and
return this coupon.
MINISTRY OF HOUSING
RENT REVIEW DIVISION
4TH FLOOR, 777 BAY STREET
TORONTO, ONTARIO M5G 2E5
YES! Please send me further information
explaining the new Rent Review Guideline.
•
NAME.
ADDRESS
CITY
L POSTAL CODE
Send today for more information about the new Rent Review Guideline
1