Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Expositor, 1988-06-08, Page 1010A — THE HURON EXPOSITOR, JUNE 8, 1988 Loss of independence the biggest concern of seniors Many people have misconceptions about the elderly - that they are slow of mind, rigid of reaction and do nothing but complain. Most people in Seaforth know that's not true, and scientific evidence backs them up. Professor Richard Lonetto, a psychologist at the University of Guelph, did some study into the process of aging, as well as attitudes toward death. He un- covered some truths, laid to rest a few falsehoods and worked to give a more ac- curate picture of Canada's senior citizens. According to Mr. Lonetto's report senior citizens average between eight and 10 per cent of the population across Canada. In Huron County, estimates have put that number considerably higher - maybe as high as 15 per cent and in Seaforth, it is higher still. According to the latest population statistics available, 495 of the town's 2,146 people are age 65 or older. That translates to 23 per cent of the total population. By comparison, the number of people in Seaforth between the ages of 21 and 59 - the period generally considered peak life experience years - is only slightly more than 40 per cent of the total, or less than double the population of seniors. Even more significantly, the largest single age group in the most recent population survey done of Seaforth is the group aged 70 and up. Their number con- stitutes better than one in every seven citizens. And most, according to Professor Lonetto's study, adapt quite well to the process of aging since he said, flexibility in the elderly is more a function of per- sonality than of age. "The adaption and survival of the "It's a very traumatic move for a lot of senior citizens." elderly does not depend on chronological age but on their self view and sense of their ongoing usefulness," he said: "The elderly are less resistant to change than men and women in their 20s." That doesn't mean however that change comes easily to them. According to Seaforth Manor Ad- ministrator Ruth Hildebrand the biggest concern among senior citizens, especially those with failing health who face the prospect of entering a nursing home, is that they'll lose their independence. "It's a very traumatic move for lot of senior citizens," said Mrs. Hildebrand. "They're giving up their home and such things as the freedom to cook their own meals when they come into a nurs- ing home. Privacy too. Even if they are lonely they may still want their privacy and that's difficult when there is a lack of private rooms, and/or funds make it im- possible for some to have their own room." Mrs. Hildebrand noted the transition is sometimes easier if a senior has been in hospital and goes into a nursing home from there. But, even then it is difficult. "Initially it's the loss of independence that bothers them. Then, it's very dif- ficult to think of moving one's entire home into one room," she said. That's the reason many people turn to home care as an alternative, albeit a tem - TOWN OF SEAFORTH' MESSAGE FROM THE MAYOR To the Citizens of Seaforth: June is Senior Citizen Month in Ontario, and I would ask that each of us take a few minutes to think about the contributions that our senior citizens make to our municipality and province every day. We are proud of our senior citizens who give their time freely for many projects and who so often are willing to share their wealth of knowledge. Mayor Alfred Ross KNECHTEI LYONS OODMARKE SEAFORTH EVERY WEDNESDAY IS SENIOR CITIZEN DAY % 5DISCOUNT ON ORDERS UP TO $50.00 JOIN THE SENIOR'S LEAGUE Every Monday 9:00 a.m. Seniors also receive a discount on their membership porary one. Sometimes, according to Mrs. Hildebrand, senior citizens wait too long, simply because they dread coming into a nursing home. Part of that dread can be blamed on a misconception that a nursing home is a place where the elderly go to die. While that might have been true in the past, it is not so today. "We're here to meet the physical and social needs of senior citizens," said Mrs. Hildebrand, adding that not all senior citizens living in a nursing home require the maximum amount of care. Some are there simply because they're lonely and/or because they were not meeting their body's nutritional needs on their own. Since cooking for one and shopping for one are not viewed as exciting things to do, and the prospect of eating alone is depressing, senior citizens often skip meals. In some cases, what results is what Mrs. Hildebrand calls the tea and toast syndrowm, where seniors, because of an apathy towards cooking, shopping and eating, will live off a diet of tea and toast, until eventually this lack of a nutritious diet affects their health. As much as nursing homes look after the physical maintenance of their residents, they attempt to look after their mental well being as well. "We encourage socialization, so they don't suffer from loneliness," said Mrs. Hildebrand. "Residents are involved in activation, which if they are ill is more restoration that activation therapy, to motivate them so they don't give up hope. Social interac- tion is a big thing. If the resident enjoys it. it will have a big impact on how they adapt to' the nursing home." Mrs. Hildebrand said residents are also encouraged to develop new recreational activities as well as maintain any of the old activities - such as gardening and baking- they were involved in before. "We try to keep them motivated and active," she said. Another thing that makes it ea 'ser for senior citizens to adapt to life in a nurs- ing home, is the staff at the home. "There's no doubt that we have an ex- ceptionally caring staff at the Seaforth Manor," said Mrs. Hildebrand. "I think the fact we're in a small town, and the staff members are caring for people they know, is greatly to our benefit. In the city you don't have that same caring," she said. Mrs. Hildebrand noted increased publicity about senior citizens in recent years, and their needs, as well as the fact that many of the residents in the Seaforth Manor are from the Seaforth area, has led to greater public awareness of what the nursing home does and how it operates. "Until now the misconception about nursing homes was much greater. But as more community people come into the Manor, there's more awareness of what we're about and what we actually do," she said. Mrs. Hildebrand noted an increased emphasis on senior citizens today than in the past. Nursing home residents are be- ing given more freedom to exercise their rights, and generally there is greater focus within the community on the senior population. There are discounts everywhere, and the seniors are very deserving because they've probably done without for years," said Mrs. Hildebrand, adding in- creased home care services and opera- tion of such establishments as the mid- dleground retirement homes are doing a lot for the esteem of the senior community. "Certainly everyone today is more aware of seniors' needs, and if the ser- vices continue to be as good as they are - and there's not any regression, people will only become more aware of the vital part they (seniors) play in the communi- ty. And I don't see the benefits seniors have now ever deteriorating." Seaforth looks after its seniors well... Today's senior citizen dfferent, more modern, and independent Today's society has produced a dif- ferent elderly person than the societies of the past. According to Fran Hook, administrator of Maplewood Manor, Seaforth's retire- ment home, today's senior citizen is far more independent- and wants to be even more so. I think it's because a role change has taken place - the roles in the family are different," she said. "In the past people were more into the family unit. Today they're more indepen- dent, they want to travel, and have their own circle of friends." The result is a more modern senior citizen - a senior citizen that is more ac- tive and wants to stay active and involv- ed, even when he/she is past the stage of being pi tcdlly .Able to care for a house. That's why, said Mrs. Hook, there is an increasing need for such middle-of-the- road facilities as retirement homes. She said retirement homes allow senior citizens to be independent, and at the same time have some of their needs look- ed after. Some, she said, may have limited mobility due to arthritis and need assistance with the daily routine of cook- ing. Others may be unable to do the strenuous chores that go along with a house or an apartment. Sometimes, according to Mrs. Hook, by entering a retirement home senior citizens gain, rather than lose independence. "Sometimes they gain even more in- dependence, because they eliminate most of their concerns in life," said Mrs. Hook. "They no longer need to be frightened about living alone, or worried about such things as insurances, or shovelling snow or cutting grass. And once those worries are lost to them they have more time to enjoy what it is they really like to do. It's like living at home, because residents are free to come and go as they please." And, because the decision to move into a retirement home is generally made by the senior him/herself, the transition is generally an easy one. Mrs. Hook said residents are invited to join in organized activities at the retirement home or create their own among friends. She said there is always something going on. "Because Maplewood Manor is not that large, residents know one another, and it feels like an extended family - staff in- cluded," she said. She added the community too, has been very supportive of Maplewood Manor and its residents. Volunteers are abundant. "There doesn't seem to be anyone you could call who would say no," said Mrs. Hook. That goes for the county as well. Mrs. Hook noted there seems to be a greater awareness of the needs of senior citizens, and enough groups who are willing to help with a problem. "Every time there is a problem, there has always been a support group to tap into. There are just so many support groups that help the seniors," she said. As for seniors being a misunderstood group Mrs. Hook said that just isn't true in Seaforth. "Maybe people who have no connection with the elderly misunderstand them. But in a small community like Seaforth, most people have a connection -your next door neighbor is probably a senior citizen. We're used to having the elderly around us," she said. "Seaforth looks after its elderly very well. It has a very good network of care for seniors." 1 Visit Our Fully Equipped Pro Shop For •Sports Clothing •Golf Clubs •Golf Bags •Carts •Gloves •Covers •Accessories •MEMBERSHIPS *GIFT CERTIFICATES GNU my p7 ome Ca z.E yetlonaLized eate r., , •� x114- ACROPOL RESTAURANT & STEAK HOUSE Welcome Seniors 100 Queen Street Hensall. Ontario NOM 1X0 Doris')antzi • EnWay (519) Administrator62-2830 -Quality .�Lvin - a,ia[ (az.E Coneetf •High Standards of Nursing Care •Regular Daily Activities •Parties, Outings & Special Events •Bright Spacious Dining Room •Delicious, Nutritious Meals QaErwcraq At Queensway our priority is the support and nurturanceZT our residents as we attempt to meet the physical, social and spiritual needs of each resident. ��0 1 Discount 5 MAIN ST., 527-2254 THOSE RETIREMENT YEARS can be the best years of your life. Here, Ed Andrews watches as Pete Tremeer puts the finishing touches on one of the his birdhouses. Both Mr. Andrews and Mr. Tremeer are residents of Maplewood Manor. Mcllwraith photo. TM FAMILY MARKET OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK Mon. -Sat. 8:30 a.m.-10:00 p.m. Sun. 12:30 p.m. -10:00 p.m. EVERYONE GETS A DISCOUNT at Ray's every day of the week. Inquire about our rebate Pr :• gram! We Offer • COMPETITIVE PRICES • GOOD SPECIALS • CONVENIENT HOURS • DELIVERY AVAILABLE Good Old Fashioned Friend' Service! Egmondville SENIORS 111% OFF Everything in the store! WED., JUNE 8 -SAT., JUNE 11 SEAFORTH JEWELLERS 47 Main St. 527-0270