GOOD ADVICE FROM AN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST
Shari suggests three points to especially consider.
- Don't fear!
- Don't fall!
-
Don't procrastinate.
Anxiety about the unknown is common to us all, but fear, itself, can be unhealthy.
Falls are the major cause of hospitalization among seniors. Many of the
causes of falls can be removed. What do you do, daily? Let’s consider
these activities of daily living….dressing, use of the toilet, bathing,
general mobility and meal preparation. What dangers are presented? Will
renovations help? Can you work differently, or use aids?
Fear often causes procrastination. Don't let things slide. Preserve your
control and independence.
Life can be made easier, right in your own home.
HANDYMAN/HANDYWOMAN PROGRAM
More than 7,000 times a year, one of nearly 50 retired volunteer handymen or women visits a home in Lambton County to do a job such as, gardening, snow shoveling, minor plumbing, cleaning or minor renovation. Many of these tasks the homeowner finds difficult to handle on their own.
Handymen or Women are arranged by calling the LSA office. Once a client has established a relationship with a Handyman, they may wish to simplify matters by dealing directly. This is especially useful to ensure that special requirements such as a need for early morning snow shoveling are met.
Although assistance is available anywhere in the County, it is arranged for through the single source of the LSA office at (519) 339-8866 or 1-888-970-1111. The office will connect the caller with Handymen or Women who live in Wyoming, Petrolia, Sarnia, Point Edward or any other centre where a client lives.
Clients reimburse the Handymen and Women a fee to help cover their expenses. The employment of office staff, which helps make the service possible, is paid for from a number of funders and by donations. We are especially grateful to the Village of Point Edward and the United Way, for example. Clients, themselves, regularly make donations to the LSA to help defray office cost.
Handymen and women are over 50 and bring years of experience to their work. They evaluate the situation to be sure they can handle it, and may call in another handyman or woman for help. In fact, Handymen or Women may serve in a monitoring capacity, ensuring that work contracted by a senior by commercial firms is well performed.
If you need assistance to keep your home livable, ask to see if help is available. The range of services that can be provided is very wide and the goodwill behind the service is very deep.
