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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Expositor, 1988-06-08, Page 11THE HURON EXPOSITOR, JUNE 8, 1988 — IIA Activity helps seniors mentally, physically Seniors need to keep active in order to stay fit - physically and mentally, says John Patterson Sr. of Seaforth. "You've got to stay active as long as you can. It keeps you going, keeps your blood pumping," he said. "The busier you are, the better, generally speaking, your health is. You can't unwind by doing nothing. You'd be dead if you did that." For Mr. Patterson, who will be 72 this week, keeping active does not mean run- ning the quarter mile track, dashing off a quick game of tennis, or fitting in a quick game of shinny hockey. At this stage in his life he prefers to keep active through participation in curling and lawnbowling, and through his volunteer work. What he is most noted for is his in- volvement with the Seaforth Senior Games Committee over the past four years - as a volunteer and as a partici- pant. Last year he was Chairman of the Host Committee when Seaforth hosted the Tri -District (Huron-Perth- Middlesex)Senior Games. Mr. Patterson is also an active member of the Seaforth Recreation and Parks committee, is active in both the curling and lawnbowling clubs, and is an elder in the Presbyterian Church. He admits he's been fortunate in the fact he's been physically able to continue to participate in sports activities, but said there are other things, less physical things, seniors can do to keep active. Most of them are extensions of what they (the seniors) did in their younger years. "Seniors make gt'eat volunteers," he said. "And it can be a very rewarding ex- perience to know you have helped - you get gratification out of that." Mr. Patterson noted a person who has been active, particularly in sports, learns to give and take. They learn to win and they learn to lose - gracefully. It's that knowledge, he said, that can be passed on. "Once it's ingrained in you it helps right on through life," said Mr. Patterson. It dictates how you react in a lot of things. It spreads out over your daily liv- ing and coping." Mr. Patterson said it's easy for the elderly to withdraw from life when they retire, but admits he thinks it's healthier to keep active. "It teaches you to be comfortable with yourself. It helps you maintain your health - both physically and mentally. Quite a few seniors don't appreciate that they have to keep going." Mr. Patterson said Senior Citizens in Seaforth are fortunate because there are plenty of activities for them to become involved in, and good facilities and parks for them to use. "We're not lacking in things to do - what we are lacking, if anything, is ac- cessibility," he said. "When you get to be the least bit ar- thritic going up and down steps can be a problem, and there's really only one building (the community centres) you can go right into without having to go up steps. We need a seniors centre, but eventually we'll get to that in town." Mr. Patterson praised the town, its mayor and its recreation director, for Verse sums up feelings JOHN PATTERSON SR. is one of Seafdrth's most active senior.citizens. Shown here readying his lawn bowls for action, Mr. Patterson said keeping active is what keeps him both physically and mentally fit. Mcllwraith photo. their enthusiastic support of senior citizens over the years. He also noted the public in general, possibly because of in- creased publicity about the elderly, seems to be more aware today of the needs of senior citizens than in the past. The Senior Games themselves have done a lot in the way of promoting the elderly. Although branded a competition, because of the Games aspect, the primary purpose of the Senior Games is to promote participation among the elderly. The games are not all physically challenging. Some like euchre, bridge and crokinole, are more mentally challenging. "It keeps them socially interacting," said Mr. Patterson. "I realize it sometimes becomes cotn- T X,t SENIORS COUPON 5.14 00/0 L OFF on all purchases except tobacco, prescriptions and sale Items. •'it Offer Valid June 8 - 15 • petitive, because of the Games end of it, but we have a lot of people who compete who don't really go anywhere. We just want participation to get the level of physical and mental health up. It's an ongoing fight to bring out to people how important it is to be participating." The following verse, written by Edward Everett, appeared in the spring issue of the quarterly newspaper from the On- tario Advisory Council on Senior Citizens. It too suggests that senior citizens need to stay as active as possible. I am only one I cannot do everything But I can do something And because I cannot do everything I will not refuse to do something I can do Home care an option for senior citizens The Board of Health has submitted a pro- posal to the provincial office of Senior's Affairs, to pilot a new integrated ap- proach to health and social services, call- ed One -Stop Access. The primary goal of One -Stop is to enhance the quality of life of Senior Citizens, and physically disabled in the county, by simplifying and streamlining access to needed services. It would mean one phone number would access clients to many different health and social services in the county. Should this proposal be accepted, Acute Home Care, Chronic Home Care, School Health Support Services and Integrated Homemakers would come under the um- brella of One -Stop Access, along with ad- ded services. "The concept is good," said Sheila Lan- caster, Assistant Home Care Director for the Huron County Health Unit. "And if it is accepted the needs of senior citizens and other county residents, will be better served. There are lets of services out there, and One - Stop Access would really be a positive step. If it means we're able to give a bet- ter quality of life because of the service, then it's really the way to go." Formed in 1971 because of a need for services in one's own home, the Home Care Program, administered by the Huron County -Health Unit, is well utilized in Huron County. Home Care pays for and provides services (either directly or by contracting services) in one's home to eligible patients, referred by their physi- cian. There are 38 similar program in the province of Ontario. The program serves all age groups and the services it provides, based on patient needs are: physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech pathology, visiting nurs- ing, nutrition, social work and homemaking. School Health Support Services pays for and provides services (either directly' or by contracting services) to eligible children in the school, who are referred by their physician. The services it pro- vides'are the same as those provided in the home to Home Care patients. The integrated Homemakers Program pays for homemaking in the home to eligible senior and eligible physically disabled. The homemaking is contracted from two homemaking agencies in the county. Admission to this program is bas- ed on the availability of funding from the Ministry of Community and Social Services. At the present time clients who are referred are assessed by a Home Care Coordinator, and if they are eligible for admission, their names are placed on a waiting list because of the lack of available funding. The Integrated Homemakers program was piloted in Huron County two years ago, and is not a province -wide service. It serves approximately 550 clients in Huron County, and at present has a waiting list of about 40. There is no fee for this service at this time. Ms. Lancaster noted the services available to senior and other citizens are growing, possibly because the "govern- ment's philosophy is evolving into the community". "The government seems to be putting up more money to add on programs that help people achieve their goal of'staying in the community, in their own home. The need was always there, but the money wasn't," she said, Ms. Lancaster admitted home care doesn't work for everyone, but said at least now people are being given choices and options about whether or not they stay in their own homes. ' "There are limitations to what we can provide, but staying at home seems to be the thrust of most people. People are get- ting more verbal about it, and sometimes they need help to stay in the communi- ty" she said. "But really we're not here to look at ages. We help you look at what you can do for yourself, then give you the help you need to meet your needs. On the whole we're not hung up on age - an 80 -year-old may be able to cope better than a 50 -year-old." KEATING'S PHARMACY 67 Main St., Seat orth 527-1990 The publication is called "Seniors' Guide to Federal Programs and Services-, ', and it provides basic inf.( rmation about federal benefits and services available to seniors. The Government of Canada has literally dozens Of programs created specifically for senior citizens — programs that cover a \vide range of activi- ties and requirements. Every effort was made to ensure that all programs were included. Watch fi )r the Guide during the month of June at Illf( )celltr'es in selected super markets across Canada. It will be availahie along; with other publications that you \A -ill find useful. Or. you may obtain a copy of the Guide, free of charge by tilling Out the coupon below and mailing it in an envelope to: M PLEWOOD MANOR Seniors P.O. Box 8176, Ottawa, Ontario MG 3FF- Name Street I PLFAAF PR 1\7 Seaforth 527-1440 Let our Mrs, Fran Hook, R.N. Administrator SERVICES AND FEATURES help you enjoy an independent retirement lifestyle s All meals, snacks • Companionship, security • Laundry, housekeeping • Private 4 -piece bath • 24 -Hour Staff on Duty ® RN on duty s Long term, short term, vacation & convalescent care City - Province English 0 Francais ❑ Ptzstal (.ncic- 14' I Government of Canada Minister of State for Seniors Hon. George Hoes Gouvemement du Canada Ministre dttat pour le Troisieme Age Lhon. George Hees e°e ana(ia 9