Loading...
Zurich Citizens News, 1976-09-22, Page 17Page 18 -Citizens News, S ptember 22 197ii Jack II The Honourable James Tay- lor, Minister of Community and Social Services addressed the Annual Convention of the Ont- ario Association of Homes for the Aged, this week. The con- ference, he said, afforded the opportunity to discuss and ex- plore the possibilities in provid- ing care for Ontario's senior citizens, and to look at the many positive achievements resulting from efforts to maintain a high standard of care to the Aged. The Delivery system which the Association developed, he said, is definitely working. Statistics from his Ministry indicated that the number of residents in both Municipal and Charitable Homes for the Aged is more than 24,000, and that 500 new resident beds will be opening later this year and next year. In the area of support ser- vices, Mr. Taylor indicated that the Community Province -wide statistics show a substantial increase in the level of service delivery. Ten per cent more Homes are participating in the Meals -on -Wheels and vaca- tion care programs than a year ago. Mr. Taylor was pleased with the success the Association had in reaching out to the commu- nity from the Homes. The Human and Financial resources available to Social Services are always limited. He said, we must ensure that we get the most out of them. An area to be developed, is greater community use of facil- ities for the Aged, to keep senior citizens as fully partici- pating members of the commu- nity as well as reducing admin- istrative costs. More Homes are going to the Community itself for support. Many service clubs, companies and individ- uals are becoming involved in Homes and programs for the aged. In Parry Sound, for example, the Community has undertaken a campaign to raise funds for a swimming pool for a home. An excellent program in Oakville is underway at one of the Ministry facilities where both human and physical re- sources are being used in help- ing retarded children. Another Home is using its Home Econo- mist in the community with planning and budgeting of meals. Multiple use of vehicles by Homes in all areas of the Province is increasing. The Government has undertaken an inter -ministerial program under which transportation of all dis- abled persons, whether dis- abled by age or physical handi- cap, will be integrated under the Ministry of Transportation and Communications. In Niag- ara, Homes have developed a program under which residents contact other senior citizens in the Community to develop clos- er relationships between the Homes and the community. In Sudbury, consideration is being given to involving some of the mentally retarded in the maintenance of a Home. The newly opened Lee Manor Home in Owen Sound is being used not only as a residence and recreation centre for sen- iors but as a meeting place for community groups. Mr. Taylor said this type of programs bring the community and the residents together and by using the same facilities duplication is avoided. Care for our senior citizens Mr. Taylor also said that Darcy McKeough, ProvL cial Treasurer, has announced, that there will be $10 million more in the corning fiscal year for the Municipal Homes for the Aged. At a later date the levels for the Charitable Homes for the Aged will be -announced. Another area which need to be developed, is alternatives to institutional care. The Minister said that his Ministry has been developing, along with members of the Association and other agencies programs to enable people to live in the community after retirement if they wish. he said retired people should have the choice of either entering a Home or remaining in the community without forcing them to make that decision due to lack of money or services outside an institution. Mr. Taylor said, he was convinced that the individual's deepest need, whether 16 or 60, is to have a sense of self-respect, self-reliance and dignity. This philosophy is shared by many senior members of our society. In fact, the Minister said, one senior in 20 lives in an institu- tional group. setting. The major- ity live on their own or with a living and in between there is a variety of services and facili- ties. Institutionalization should be a dimension of care, not an either-or choice. The Minister said they are faced with the challenge of how to provide the advantages of an institu- tion while retaining as much independence and self-reliance as possible. An example of encouraging seniors to be as independent as possible is evident in the increasing numbers of senior citizens rental apartments built by the Ontario Housing Corpor- ation. In 1964, there were 36 units; today there are more than 36,000. The rate of growth of senior citizen apartments in Ontario has been nearly 30 times that of the over 60 popula- tion, over the past five years. But a senior's self-contained home may not be enough by itself. Resources must be provided to enable residents to maintain their sense of self-worth and dignity within the community. Programs such as the Guaranteed Annual income Supplement, Drug Ben- efit Plan and OHIP premium assistance are also helping to achieve this. YOU'VE SEEN A LOT WHEN YOU LIVE FOR A 101 YEARS and Mrs. Jean McKinley has certainly seen her share. Born on August 23, 1875 in Seaforth, she was one of 11 children. She began teaching public school there in 1896 and in 1911 she married Robert McKinley moving to the Goshen just north of Zurich. Mrs. McKinley now resides in the Maitland Manor nursing home in Goderich as she needs special care since falling last fall and breaking her pelvis. After 101 years of living, Mrs. McKinley still enjoys corn on the cob. She says she'll never get sick of it. Photo by McKinley spouse. It was their joint responsibility to provide a wide range of services to meet the physical needs of the indivi- dual, while keeping in mind the emotional needs. The Minister invited the Municipalities and the mem- bers of the Association through- out the Province to come for- ward with proposals that will develop alternatives to residen- tial programs. Many Homes for the Aged have already done this. For example, Metro To- ronto, under Ray Tomlinson and Sid Young, has under- taken a vacation program for senior citizens at an out-of- town lodge. He said his Minis- try would welcome imaginative, innovative, concerned and prac- tical proposals that can be test- ed on a demonstration basis. Where such proposals are feasi- ble, funds wil be made avail- able to put them to the test. This will also involve close co-operation with Municipal Social Service Departments who will also be advised of this call for proposals. At the one end of the spec- trum, according to Mr. Taylor, there are the Homes for. the Aged and Nursing Homes. At the other, is fully independent Mr. Taylor said he was ask- ing for the help and expertise in the development of this total support system to the Elderly. Experience in Ontario have shown that too often seniors and their children consider institutions as the only solution because they haven't examined the alter- natives or are not aware of any. If the providing of one service to a senior, like grocery shopping or yard maintenance will keep that person out of a Home, then the saving in human terms is immeasurable. The Minister said he was not saying that the Elderly should not enter a Home when they wish or when they need to, what he was saying is that the Elderly should at least know the alternatives. Mr. Taylor said their common goal and objective was to work towards supply the best possi- ble support system for seniors, In working towards that goal all resources available must be utilized and all efforts must be concentrated in areas where time and capital will produce' the maximum results. The Min- ister said he was asking for suggestions, concepts, ideas and proposals on how to utilize our resources in the Homes and_ within the Community in developing alternatives to insti- tutional care. 489 Main Street, Exeter Office 235-2533 Appointment GLENN THURMAN CARL WALKER is pleased to announce the appoint- ment of GLENN THURMAN to the sales staff of CARL S. WALKER REAL ESTATE LTD. Glenn has a very extensive knowledge of the real estate market, and has been selling for the past 21/2 years. Previous to that he was employed by the London and St. Thomas Real Estate Board for five years. Glenn is presently residing in Dashwood with his wife and family, and can be reached at Exeter 235-2533 or Dashwood 237-3775 anytime. Please feel free to give him a call concerning any of your real estate matters. The Zurich Community Centre NEEDS YOUR HELP!!! In order to meet Building Code Standards, Fire and Health regulations, and other minor renovations to the Community Centre, $35,000 in donations must be raised. Additional funds will come from LIP, Community Centre and Wintario grants. Rural and local canvasses, including Businesses, Organizations, and Residents, are now being planned— Specific dates will be published. Official receipts will be given for tax purposes. Please support YOUR Community Centre Write for further information: Zurich Community Centre Fund Raising Committee Box 304, Zurich, Ontario.