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MAY 2005 CARDINAL NEWSLETTER
The Lambton Seniors
Association (LSA) was formed, in 1990. A survey completed by
seniors had uncovered areas of special concern - health
issues, loneliness, transportation and housing needs. The
LSA then set out to address these concerns.
At the 2005 Annual General Meeting one of the concerns –
“SHELTER” - was given a closer look. As we grow older and
children move on to homes of their own, family homes often
become too big. Upkeep of these houses can become a burden
that we find hard to continue on our own. It occurs to many
that we should consider a smaller, simpler home - perhaps
not an independent "family" home at all. Perhaps we should
move, but to what type of dwelling should we move, and when?
Four experts were invited to share their experience. One,
Shari Core, considered how to study a home to uncover flaws
that might be remedied thus making it safer. Barry Thompson
reported on the help that could be given by the LSA's
Handyman/Handywoman volunteers. Tracy Hext, of the Community
Care Access Centre spends her days matching people with
suitable services and affordable housing for their future.
Lola Dudley, of the County of Lambton Housing Services
Department is aware of the wide range of geared-to-income,
or other housing available throughout the County. These
accommodations extend the options available to seniors and
others.
Separate articles in this issue of The Cardinal report the
information given by each of these four speakers. You are
invited to contact the speakers themselves, especially as
time passes and circumstances change.
Now we invite you to consider the question of the day: "Must
I Move?"
 Read
more in-depth articles when you see this symbol
CHIROPRACTIC: YOUR
SENSIBLE CHOICE!
Article Submitted from the Lambton Chiropractic Society
Chiropractic care is proven as an effective
treatment for back pain, hip and joint pain as well as
headaches. Chiropractic care is not only effective but also an
affordable option for Canadians. In fact approximately four and
a half million Canadians use the services of a chiropractor each
year.
Chiropractors are Doctors so no referral is necessary.
Chiropractors will fully assess your condition and provide a
diagnosis and develop a comprehensive treatment/management plan.
Since chiropractors have an extensive education they are trained
to recommend therapeutic exercise, to utilize other non-invasive
therapies, as well as to provide nutritional, dietary and
lifestyle counseling.
The most common form of treatment is the chiropractic adjustment
that is also known as spinal manipulative therapy. It is a
non-invasive manual procedure that decreases pain, improve areas
of reduced movement in the joints and supporting tissues and
decrease muscle tightness or spasm. Adjustments also correct for
conditions where the nervous system is affected by changes in
the spine.
Research continues to show that chiropractic is a safe and in
many cases the most effective form of treatment for conditions
of the musculoskeletal system, most often conditions affecting
the spine such as low back pain, neck pain and headaches.
The evidence is outstanding, as more people are turning away
from the use of medications and are searching for non-surgical
options, chiropractic is a sensible choice.
Consult a chiropractor to learn how chiropractic care can
benefit you.
ANNOUNCING!!
Effective June 1, 2005, Sonya McDonald will take on the duties
of Editor
of the
Cardinal newsletter.
Congratulations and welcome aboard Sonya.
Sonya’s email address is
sashaw@brktel.on.ca
FROM THE OFFICE OF THE CHAIR
To the members of
Lambton Seniors Association (LSA) who have so generously
volunteered to serve on the Board of Directors, and the
Executive for the coming year 2005-06, I extend my sincerest
appreciation. The names of those serving in 2005-2006 are listed
on the website.
Without such dedication from volunteers our association would
not exist. I look forward to a very productive and informative
term. I further extend my thanks to Donna and Gale our staff
people who make this operation click. Without them, it would be
nigh impossible to insure the continued operation of this
organization.
LSA over the past year has been very successful with its various
programs, and I look forward to the same degree of success in
the coming year. The various committees are functioning to their
fullest potential. It is through these committee people that we
continue to be able to assist the senior’s population in Lambton
County. Helping Seniors maintain their independence, well being,
and staying informed of the Seniors services available, is a
direct result of the generous committee people in our
association.
If as a senior in Lambton County, you have a concern, or if you
feel you would like to contribute to the continued success of
LSA, please feel free to contact the office at (519) 339-8866.
We very likely can find some activity that would be of interest
to you.
Remember that there are several activities coming up in the
immediate future that deserve your consideration. They are
mentioned elsewhere in the Cardinal, so look for the dates,
times, and locations. I look forward to seeing you there!
James H.
Houston Chair
YOU WANTED TO KNOW
Summaries of the Annual General
meeting’s prepared presentations appear in articles in this
issue of The Cardinal. At the end of the morning, members of
the audience asked questions.
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Is there a starting time for
snow clearing? If you need to get out of your home early in
the day, call the office in October. You will get several
names. Call one and make an arrangement that suits,
directly. One lady commented that she made doctor’s
appointments later in the day, to help give time for road
(and sidewalk) clearing.
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How do I pay? By cash or
cheque, arranged with the Handyman. If you have a problem,
call the office.
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How early should I start
looking for alternative housing? Early. Strokes and car
accidents can hasten the need. There may be long waits for
geared-to-income housing or nursing home admission. (You
might want to ask details about this, because time changes
how admissions are done.) For assisted housing, you must be
Canadian and able to live independently, with or without
assistance.
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What is the status of hospice
care? There is no hospice currently in Lambton County.
Reorganization is taking place. Many conditions require it.
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What is LSA’s new proposed program? We are establishing a
Companion program, to give respite for caregivers. Persons
with a nursing background are currently being interviewed.
Watch for further news!
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IS A RETIREMENT HOME FOR ME? |
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Correction
Thank you to Tracy Hext for providing
this clarification
Only
Long Term Care Homes (Nursing Homes) are regulated
by the Ministry Of Health Long Term Care, not
retirement homes. Retirement Homes are privately
operated and managed. We at the Community Care
Access Centre (CCAC) only disseminate info about
retirement homes. We are the contact however for
information and
application to Long Term Care.
Tracy Hext, Reg. N.,
C.M.,
Sarnia-Lambton
Community Care Access Centre
For more information on
the services available from the CCAC visit their web
site at
www.sarnia.ccac-ont.ca.
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Tracy Hext, of the
Community Care Access Centre, is a caseworker, backed by
her experience in a hospital setting and then with
housing for the past four years. Her goal is to keep
people in their own homes as long as possible. If you
need her services, or if you are calling on behalf of
someone else who would be a willing client, telephone
337-1000.
A nine-page assessment studies life in the home. A
monthly visit from a nurse and simple changes may make
established services better. Housing needs may change
drastically on discharge from a hospital. Four people
specialize in making these adjustments, one at each
hospital site and an evening supervisor. These four are
hospital-based caseworkers, so patients should ask for
help before they leave hospital.
There is limited funding for homecare and people who
obtain it must really require the assistance. Care may
come from a home support worker when a spouse or child
is not available to assist. Dementia, not physical
handicap, is often the biggest barrier to continued
living in your home. If you start forgetting day-to-day
things, and life becomes puzzling, look for help.
There are formal (new since 1994) Powers of Attorney.
They deal separately with property issues and personal
care. Recent news stories emphasize their importance.
If you move, can you also move your support system of
family, neighbours and friends? One option, which may
replace some of this support, is a retirement home. Shop
around. Retirement homes are different. Some are
essentially an apartment building with a common
restaurant-like area. Others add on levels of medical
supervision and nursing care. A limited number are
provided at low cost. All are regulated by the Ministry
of Health and accessed through the Community Care Access
Centre. Rates are set by the Provincial Government, in
the $1,400-$2,100/month range. Go and look at different
residences, to become aware of the life style there. In
turn, you must meet the criteria for how much care you
need (personal care, dietetic, continuous supervision or
abuse threat) before you can move in. Consent, perhaps
through a Power of Attorney, is required.
Assessment to govern admission is at no cost because it
is covered by OHIP. If you know anyone who might need
this service, pass these words along.
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GEARED-TO-INCOME HOUSING |
If your
income can’t stretch to put a roof over your head, Lola
Dudley, of the County of Lambton Housing Services
Department, can help. Specialized housing, modified to
meet special needs, is available, too.
Housing may be provided at market rates, as well as that
which is subsidized to match lower incomes.
Ms. Dudley, who has had 24 years experience in social
housing, showed many slides of the wide range of housing
available. The application form for units is very short
and it is possible to have a telephone interview for
those with mobility problems. Information is available
at any municipal office and at public libraries.
To preserve the supply of housing, persons cannot live
in one of these units if their income is too high,
unless there is no waiting list. Victims of abuse go to
the top of the list.
Housing types vary and requirements change. The Province
sets rules and regulations, and policies will change as
governments change. At one time, only persons over a
certain age occupied some types of housing. Now
acceptance depends upon when a person indicated a need,
without regard to age.
Often, there is a social area to help build a sense of
community. Your apartment is your home, and often
knowing your dwelling place is safe when they are away,
especially convenient for travelers. Worries about
taxes, repairs, leaves, garbage, and repairs are
minimized.
An Affordable Housing study is currently underway.
Anyone interested is invited to one of two Focus Group
meetings, June 14th. Calling 344-2062 or 1-800-387-2882
may obtain information about these remarkable resources.
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GOOD ADVICE FROM AN
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST
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Shari
Core has been an Occupational Therapist for 23 years.
She values the history and experience seniors bring to
problem solving, but also knows that, by discouraging
fresh approaches they may, themselves, become barriers.
Shari suggests three points to especially consider.
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Don't fear!
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Don't fall!
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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. |
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HANDYMAN/HANDYWOMAN
PROGRAM |
| Barry Thompson, of the
LSA points out that, if you want to stay in your own
home, the LSA can ensure that you can stay.
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.
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MANAGING THE RISK |
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Use solid handrails or banisters
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Exercise everyday
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Remove throw rugs from high
traffic areas
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Keep homes, particularly
stairways, well lit
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Install non-slip surfaces in the
shower or bath
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Install grab bars by the toilet,
shower and bath
Excerpts from the
"COMPASS" ONTARIO INJURY
NEWSLETTER - SMARTRISK |
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AN
OLD DOG |
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"You
can't teach an old dog new tricks," is a wry reference
to the increased difficulty of learning as we age. It
also recognizes that the close relationship between
humankind and dogs has made us similar in unsuspected
ways. For thousands of years, we have shared friendship
and food with our canine friends and become surprisingly
like each other.
The University of Toronto capitalized on that similarity
in a recent study. Four groups of beagles were followed
for ten years. One group lived and ate normally. One had
an enriched diet. The third group had a more
interesting, more active life style. (You should have
read their diaries!) The fourth group lived more
interesting lives and had diets that included
antioxidants and food supplements.
The fourth group benefited significantly from the
two-pronged approach. Significantly!
On the basis of this experiment, you can delay the
mental difficulties that come with simple aging by
watching what you eat and by remaining involved in the
concerns of your community and world. You must do both.
You may say, "Well, that's just common sense." Now, it
is proven common sense
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SOMETHING NEW TO CONSIDER |
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One way to make living
easier as we age, is to move from a large family home to
an apartment. Often these are in fairly tall buildings.
The view is nice. Your neighbours are nearby and often
friendly and supportive. But….how do you get out in case
of fire?
If your building is more than three stories high, your
building superintendent will have an evacuation plan. If
lower than that, you should consider for yourself how to
get out.
A pamphlet, “Fire in Your Apartment Building” gives good
advice. It may be obtained from Tom Marshall, Fire
Prevention Officer with the Sarnia Fire Rescue Services
(phone 332-1122) and, no doubt, from other area fire
departments.
Some major points: Know when you should leave ("Can you
hear the alarms?" "Should you warn your neighbours?").
Know where to go. (Do you have two, or more ways to get
out safely?"). Know how to travel safely. ("Feel a door
for heat before opening it." "Use stairways, not
elevators.")
There are other important things to consider. You may
know many. Some you have never thought of, before. All
are covered in the booklet.
If your move to an apartment building is recent, phone
now to get good advice.
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HOW TO
REDUCE PROBATE COSTS |
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If you want to reduce the
cost of winding up your estate (by simply reducing the
value of your estate) drive very quickly past the
airport, going into Sarnia. You can run up astonishing
fines. The elderly often find it inconvenient to drive
fast, so here is how you may produce the same result,
without leaving home.
Fire Prevention Officer Tom Marshall caught the
attention of members of the Strangway Centre Seniors
Information Network recently, with the information that
the fine for not having a working smoke detector is
$235. Most of his listeners thought that a working smoke
detector was a good idea. The potential loss of $235
(for EACH non-working detector) made it an even better
idea.
The Lambton Seniors Association strives to install
working smoke detectors in seniors’ homes across the
County each fall. Once in place, keep them working.
Replace batteries once a year and the entire detector
after ten years. Remember too the life saving advantages
of a carbon monoxide detector.
The longer wait to settle your estate will far outweigh
the extra cost of probate.
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"COOL AID" PROGRAM"
A magnetized form which contains information
about an individual’s medical condition, allergies, medications
and past history. In the event of an emergency in which you are
unable to communicate, paramedics can quickly obtain medical
information and provide effective medical assistance.
Call Lambton EMS at 882-3797
ext. 241 |
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