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The Times Advocate, 2004-01-14, Page 10Crossroads 10 Wednesday, January 14, 2004 Exeter Times Advocate Providing respite care for the caregivers By Pat Bolen TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF CLINTON — "We're there to provide people with the little extra to give them a break, because the trend does seem to be people are staying at home longer." JoAnn Todd is manager of the Huron County ser- vice delivery centre for Saint Elizabeth Health Care and says with people staying at home longer before moving into nursing homes, it places more stress on family members caring for them. Since last summer a pilot program in Huron County has attempted to provide assis- tance to the caregivers. Saint Elizabeth is a nation wide chari- table, non profit, community health care organization founded in 1908 that pro- vides home-based nursing, rehabilita- tion and supportive care services. It pioneered programs such as home chemotherapy, home-based mental health services, community-based care for people living with HIV/AIDS and Web -based education and health monitoring tools for individuals and families. The Huron County office of Saint Elizabeth is based in Clinton and has been the site of the Respite Caregiver Program since last June, funded by the Saint Elizabeth Health Care Foundation from corpo- rate donations. Respite care is the service of providing temporary relief for caregivers from the responsibility of caring for an individual of any age. One of two in Ontario, the other being in Northumberland County, the program delivers respite care free of charge to families who have exhausted their options and are still in need of tem- porary relief from caregiving responsibities. The Huron County office primarily services the southern part of the county, but Todd said there are service people in the northern part of the county out of the traditional area for the centre. The goals of the program are: • Respite care services on a charitable basis to caregivers who meet the admission eligibility crite- ria. • Education and training to caregivers based on needs of identified needs so they can best meet the their family members. • Conduct research on caregivers needs. • Information to caregivers f 1' "People are staying at home longer before moving into nursing homes and that requires more care at home." JOANN TODD MANAGER OF SAINT ELIZABETH HEALTH CARE IN HURON COUNTY Alzheimer Disease Know the reality. Dispel the myths. Over the years, many myths have evolved about what Alzheimer Disease is, who gets it and how it affects people who have it. These myths can add to the stigma attached to the disease and stand in the way of our ability to understand and help people with it. At the Alzheimer Society, we believe the sooner we dispel the myths, the better we'll be able to respond to the reality. Take the quiz. Take the Alzheimer Quiz and test your knowledge of the disease. 1 Because someone in my family has Alzheimer Disease, I will get it. True False 2 Alzheimer Disease is not only an old person's disease. True False 3 There is no cure for Alzheimer Disease. True False 4 Memory loss means Alzheimer Disease. True False 5 Aluminum causes Alzheimer Disease. True False 6 Alzheimer Disease cannot be prevented. True False 7 Vitamins, supplements and memory boosters can prevent Alzheimer Disease. True False 8 If I'm diagnosed with Alzheimer Disease, my life is over. True False 9 All people who have Alzheimer Disease become violent and aggressive. True False 10 People with Alzheimer Disease cannot understand what is going on around them. True False AlzheirnerSoc et am I les. • Early intervention/pre- vention/counselling and support to caregivers. According to Saint Elizabeth statistics, 40 per cent of people over the age of 30 are providing home care to one or more family members and 80 per cent of eldercare is provided by family care- givers. Todd said part of the reason Huron County was picked for the program was its rural nature. "They felt it would be very well accepted and need- ed in Huron County and we were really pleased to be chosen for the pilot." The respite service is offered at no cost to families who meet the admission eligibility criteria which are: • The caregiver has accessed all available gover- ment -sponsored services available to them. • Requires support and would incur a significant financial burden to purchase services. • Agrees to participate in evaluation activities. • Agrees to a means test. Staff in the respite program who go into homes are supportive care workers employed by Saint Elizabeth. Todd said part of the assessment process is to match the worker and their training to the needs of the client. and their Referrals to the respite program can come directly from clients as well as from people who are aware of situations the respite program could help with. Todd said the program has been going well since it began. "We provide a worker to go into the home to stay with the person who needs the care, so the tradition- al caregiver can go away and know their loved one is going to be cared for while they are away. It is to give them a break. In some cases they have been caregiving for a long time, and to get a break is a great thing for these people. The people who are getting the break are extreme- ly appreciative of that." The other part of the program is research being done at the Mt. Saint Vincent University in Halifax which is focusing on caregivers, since the amount of information is limited. The amount of time the respite work- er stays with the client depends on the needs of the caregiver and the recipi- ent. It also depends on the assessment process which determines on how many hours of service can be provided to the and is updated and renewed on a monthly "We provide a worker to go into the home to stay with the person who needs the care, so the traditional caregiver can go away and know their loved is going to be cared for." JOANN TODD Alzheimer Disease Answers 1. FALSE While genetics play a role in the disease, only a small percentage of cases derive from genes that cause the disease. 2. TRUE People in their 40s and 50s can also be affected. While age is the most significant known risk factor, not everyone will develop the disease as they age. 3. TRUE There is no cure for Alzheimer Disease, but there are treatments and strategies that can help. 4. FALSE Many people experience memory loss, but that in itself does not mean they have Alzheimer Disease. 5. FALSE There's no conclusive link between aluminum and Alzheimer Disease. 6. TRUE There is no conclusive evidence that Alzheimer Disease can be prevented, but lifestyle choices that keep mind and body fit may help reduce the risk. 7. FALSE Studies continue to be done to test the effectiveness of these products. Mostly the findings are inconclusive. 8. FALSE With early diagnosis, treatments and support services, people with the disease can and do live meaningful, active lives. 9. FALSE Alzheimer Disease affects each person differently. By learning about the disease, and how to respond to it, aggressive responses may be preventable. 10. FALSE Some people with Alzheimer Disease do understand what is going on around them; others have difficulty. Regardless, they need to be treated with dignity and respect. An end to the myths Alzheimer Disease is a degenerative, fatal brain disorder that destroys vital brain cells. It most often occurs in people over 65, but can affect adults at an earlier age. One in thirteen Canadians over the age of 65 has Alzheimer Disease or a related dementia. The Alzheimer Society is a not-for-profit health organization dedicated to helping people affected by Alzheimer Disease. Don't let the myths about Alzheimer Disease prevent you from: • learning about the disease • seeking help • treating people with the disease with respect. Get the facts. Contact your local Alzheimer Society, visit our Web site at www.alzheimer.ca or call 1-800-616-8816. AlzheimerSoc e home, basis. The amount of time workers spend in the home can vary from two hours once a week, to a short term stay or visits over a longer term. "The focus now is for people to stay at home as long as they possibly can, and they want to stay at home as long as they can. People are delaying mov- ing into nursing homes and that requires more care in their homes," said Todd. The program was reviewed in December and will carry on until the hours funded by the foundation are completed. "We'll just carry on until we run out of hours, so there is still availablity within the program for more people to join up," said Todd. Information on the program can be obtained by contacting Todd at 1-888-823-1626 ext 227 or 482- 8800. The Saint Elizabeth web -site can be found at www.saintelizabeth.com. • • • •• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Auction Inc. AUNIVERSARY STOREWIDE 2 LARGE SHOWROOMS WITH ANOTHER NEW SHIPMENT THIS WEEK Fridays 10-6, Saturdays 9-4, Sundays 12-4 TERMS: Cash, Interac, Visa • Bayfield Rd., Clinton 482-9364