Sunday, April 26, 1998 - North Shore News — 25

Make visits with
the elderly count

AN essential component of the
health of seniors in care facilities is
visits with their family members and
friend.

A key elemene of family health is establish-
ing links between gencrations. Some of the iso-
lation facing sidents in care facilities can be
cased encouragint visits that bring young
and old togethe

Ry finding ways to make family visits mean-
ingful we make a contribution to family health
across the generations.

To help prepare for rewarding and positive

‘isits with family members in care facilities the
following suggestions off actical advice
any generation:
@ consult with the care facility staff and ask
questions such as: What are the needs and lim-
itations of the resident? If suitable, ask your
family member directly what he or she wants,
needs and expects from your vis

M sct_ realistic limits for yourself around the
iength of the visit — what is comfortable for
you and vour relative?
nnounce when you arrive that you will be
staying for 20 minutes, one hour or whatever
the intended length of the visit is. If possible,
let your relative Know when vou will be back to
visit.
Sometimes more frequent shorter visits are

more welcome than less frequent, longer ¥
Gwe your relative a calendar or guest book to
record visitors.
@ prepare children by Jetting them know that
grandmother er grandfather may not be able to
see or hear them as well as they used to.
Explain to them thar tney may need to talk
more slowly and look directly at their grand-
parents (adults of course, should do this too).
Reassure them that their grandparent still
loves them even if they forget names. Ha child
has difficulty with the visits, give them space
and time to sort out the new experience and
encourage them to ask you questions about
their experience.

B look for creative ways to make visits mean-
ingful: bring in letters, pictures, or be to
facilitate conversatio ; check with the resident
or staff to see if a visit during meal times to
help out or sharing a meal is welcome; go out
fora walk or a cup of coffee; plan a visit home
or to a favorite restaurant; participate in pro-
grams organized by the facility, and learn to
assist in ¢ se which will benefit your rela-
tive.

For further information on the topic of vis-
iting a relative in a care facility contact the
social wo) rector of the facility, join a
family council for support group, and ask oth-
ers in similar situations what works and doesn’t
work tor them.

Seminar on aging set

PEOPLE are now liv-
ing well into retire-
ment.

who will

Although the medical
advances are miraculous,
our aging population needs
to think about the future.

Where and how will we
live? Will we be able to
absorb the coming health-
care cost crunch? And, of

Wedn

NORTH VANCOUVER

Did you know.

Recreation and active living significantly reduces the

risk of coronary heart disease and stroke,

greatest personal concern, gy at
take care of us
when we are old and frail?
Aging and housing issues
such as these are to be dis-
cussed ara
ay, May
sored by the non-profit soci-
ety the National Academy of
Older Canadians (NAQC).
Dr. Andrew Wister, asso-
ciate professor cf gerontol-

Simon Fraser
Univ ersity is to the
speaker,

The seminar is scheduled
to run from 10a.m. to noon
seminar on in the boardroom of
13, spon- = NAOC, on the second floor,
431 Dunsmuir St.

Pre-register by May 3 by
calling 681-3757.

Admission is by
tion,

dona-

RECREATION COMMISSION

combats

osteoporosis, combats diabetes and prevents site
specific cancers? Besides, you'll feel fantastic —- in a

matter of days!

For the best health insurance you can buy, drop into

yout local recCentre to

One month introductory “Silver Plate” membership is

only $21.50 including GST.

Call 987-PLAY(7529) for more information on a wide

variety of Seniors programs.