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The Citizen, 1986-02-19, Page 7SURF LAUNDRY DETERGENT 6 LITRE 3.19 THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1986. PAGE 7. New Homecare program expands services A third stage of homecare will be introduced in Huron county under a new grant announced by the Ontario government. Huron county is one of six areas of the province chosen for $3 million pilot project called the Integrated Homemaker Program for frail seniors and physically disabled adults. The new program is part of a $71 million plan to improve community support ser- vices. It's a step groups like the Town and Country Homemakers in Huron County have been advocat- ing for five years, says Jean Young, executive director of the group. "In 1980, we were asked down to the provincial Legislature in Tor- onto to look at the situation and three years ago, the government started to talk about announcing a similar program. We've written dozens of letters in that time to show the need in Huron," says Young. Of the 250 seniors with an average age of 85 who receive homemaking services from TCH, 66 percent are private citizens who pay out of their own pockets. "I really feel there is a need here. A study done by the University of Guelph shows that Huron has the highest population of elderly in Ontario and it's hard for some to pay privately when they're living on a pension," she says. Donations to TCH from county and municipal governments in Huron have helped to fulfill the need in the county before funding was approved by the provincial government for homemaking for seniors who did not need profes- sional medical care. "This program should take some of the burden off the local governments and rightly so. This is a provincial problem. But, in the meantime while we knew the province was working on this program, the county and local governments tried to meet that need," says Young. Huron's probable share of $500,000, one-sixth of the $3 million for homemaking allotted this year for six communities is a good start to meet the need in the county, says Young. "I think it's quite a lot for Huron. Our budget for Town and Country Homemakers right now is $500,000 but private people are spending $300,000 out of their own pockets. Most of them should qualify," she says. Young says she can't guess how many seniors or disabled adults who are not now receiving either privately or publicly -funded home- making services will apply for services under the new program. "I have a feeling there's a considerable number of people who can benefit from this pro- gram," says Betty Cardno, direc- tor of the Huron County Home Care program who will administer the program. "When homemaking is the main The Brussels Snowmobile club poker rally was held on Sunday. Here Sheryl Kerr of R.R. 2, Bluevale, well -muffled against the cold, waits for her father to complete registration before going on the rally. [Photo by Pat Langlois] 4O0/ OFF 1985 PRICES MASON WINDOWS * BOOK NOW FOR SPRING * Offer good until March 3/86 •Casements •Side Sliders •Awnings •Verticals •Patio Doors •Entrance Systems AVAILABLE IN: J •Ultraguard ji •Masonguard or •Natural Finishes WATSON'S GORRIE Hwy. 87 335-3551 need, they would have to be turned down now if there's not a need for a health care professional," she says. Home Care in Huron, which is funded to provide visiting services to acute and chronic patients after physician referrals, buys its home- making services from TCH. Card - no predicts the demand for TCH's services will increase with the new program. "An elderly person who's just managing may be able to manage another year at home with a small amount of help with cooking, shopping and cleaning. Every- thing I've ever heard from seniors is that they want to stay at home as long as possible," she says. "I hope to see more and more emphasis in the next 20 years on home care, especially for people who don't need the professional .component. It will leave more beds for the people backlogging the hospitals." Cardno says only a few hours of homemaking a couple days a week can make the difference between people staying home and going into an institution. And. when seniors still have the ability to make decisions. it can by very devastating when they are physi- cally unable to stay at home. The criteria of what constitutes a "frail" senior or how referrals will be made is not yet clear from the Ministry of Community and Social Services, says Cardno. "It might be that a senior who thinks he needs the service just has to call. I see that we could get a lot of referrals at first," she says. Both Cardno and Young say they're excited about the provision in the program for Alzheimer's victims. "So often, homemaking is what is most needed in Alzheimer's cases. Some will be able to get additional help but that depends what each individual case needs," says Cardno. Representatives from the Mini- stry of Community and Social Services will be visiting the six counties slated to pilot the integra- ted homecare program to discuss the whole process of assessment and eligibility and general guide- lines, says spokesperson Janet Rowney. • Those qualifying for free home- making services will either be Continued on page 18 Mc utcheon rocery Brussels 887-9445 OPEN MON.-SAT. 8-6 P.M. LAYS AND RUFFLES POTATO CHIPS .99 PEEK FREAN FAMILY CREME OR FAMILY ASSORTMENT 2.6 • COOKIES 600 G. WESTON OLD MILL WHITE BREAD 450 G. MEALTYME WIENER OR HAMBURG ROLLS WESTON HOT CROSS BUNS GRANNY BUTTER TARTS SCHNEIDER FROZEN 8's 8's 10's COUNTRY SAUSAGE . 69 . 79 1.39 1.39 500 G. 2.39 BICKS SWEET MIXED, YUM YUM OR DILL PICKLES 1 LITRE 1.99 ALCAN 12" FOIL 1.29 CRISCO VEGETABLEOIL 1 LILTRE 2.99 KAM LUNCHEON MEAT340 G. 1.89 SNUGGLE 2 LITRE FABRIC SOFTENER 2.99 GRAWELCHS ML. PE JELLY OR JAM 1500.99 CREST 100 ML. OTHPASTE PUMP 1.99 ORANGECRYSTALS 1▪ 69 KIST GREEN LABEL PLUS DEPOSIT G I N G E RALE 739 m1.,26 oz. 3/ .99 OCOOKNIOING NS 2 LB. BAG . 29 FLORIDA WHITE OR PINK GRAPEFRUIT 3 FOR .79 HEINZ TOMATOES 28 OZ. .99 RRSP 10°% Registered Retirement Savings Plan Now Paying on the Variable Rate Plan NO CHARGES FIXED RATE PLANS Now Available to 1 i O 3/4 % COMPOUNDED ANNUALLY Rates subject to change without notice. Clinton Community CREDIT UNION CLINTON 482-3467 EXETER 235-0640