. 44 —- Sunday, October 6, 1591 - North Shorea News HELP’S AT HAND HELP’S AT Hand, by North Shere Community Services (NSCS), is a forum for discussing government policies and pro- grams, benefits, consumer and legal rights, taxation and public services. Answers are intended only as a general guide and should not be applied to individual cases without further consultation. Question: 'm a single 69-year- old woman and I look after my mother who is confined to bed. She lives with me and I’in an only child. Our cnly other relative is an elderly cousin of my mother’s, who recently became very iit. Her neighbors are saying that she should also come to live with :me and that I should care for Ser. They say that because ['m the trustee and beneficiary of her will that £ am responsible for her now. is this truc? Answer: A trustee is a person who is appointed to look after fi- nancial affairs in a will, and a beneficiary receives the remaining assets of the estate. Your ap- pointment as trustee and beneficiary under your relative’s will takes place on the day of her death and not before. __ It sounds as though your rela- tive’s -neighbors are pressuring you. You have already undertaken a very large responsibility in car- ing for your bedridden mother, and it is probably physically. ’ emotionally, and financially im possible for you to care for another relative. : Elderly and sick people need to be cared for, there’s no denying that. The question is by whom and how that gets done. . The neighbors’ comments seem to reflect an opinion in our society that. says all women should take care of. sick relatives, often -at their own peril, Looking at many women’s lives we see that they bareiy finish taking .care of their .own children before they begin caring for the elderly in their fam- ilies, - Men may feei the: same tug of . . responsibility or pressure, but do Hot succumb to it nearly as often. Women, on the other hand, wiil * postpone or even cancel career and. other personal plans to con- tinue caring for others. As you are an only child, you _ won’t have the added complica- -tion of balancing the caregiving between the men and women in your family, but for many caregivers, this becomes an added source of frustration. Tell the neighbors to luy off, and explain that you already have your hands full. Otherwise, you zeally do not owe them a full ex- planation. You will be relieved to know that there are community services 10 help your mother's cousin. {f she is mentally capable, you could speak with her about her wishes, explaining your needs, too. You may decide together that it would be a good idea to plan ahead regarding Jegal and finan- cial affairs, as well as personal and health needs. It sounds as though she may be unable to handle her banking. If you are abie to help in a practical way, you might explore with her bank the most reasonable way to do this. If you are not willing or able to fill this role, she can choose someone else who she trusts very highly; perhaps one of her concerned neighbors or a close friend. If your mother’s cousin is, or becomes, mentally incapable, her financial affairs could be looked after by the Public Trustee. In order to initiate this process, she must be examined and a Certifi- cate of Incapability issued. For more information contact the Of- fice of the Public Trustee at 660- 4444, Regarding your mother’s health and personal care, begin by‘ talk- ing to her doctor to see if he or she has any suggestions, or you can contact North Shore Health (NSH) at 986-7111 and inquire about their Long Term Care Pro- gram. NSH programs offer nursing and homemaker services in the patient’s home. If necessary, they will aiso arrange to do en assess- ment of the situation to decide what care is needed and if a move to a nursing home would be ap- propriate. Everyone’s needs — sick or healthy — are equally valid. “Caregiver’’ is a demanding role to play, and you will not be able to do it well if your own needs are not being met. This column is prepared with financial assistance from the Notary Foundation. For more in- formation call NSCS at 985-7138. iN PUBLIC NOTICE as required by the Election Act. Section 67 (4) ‘Natice is hareby given to the citizens of tha North Vancouver: B - Saymour Electoral District that certain persons have been “appointed, each to act as an Official Agent for the duly nominated Candidate appointing them, at the Provincial! Election now pending. The names of the Candidates and their respective Official Agents are as follows: Candidate FRAMPTON, Gordon ROELANTS, Dominique JARVIS, Daniel ; . RENNIE, Donaid TOMLINSON, Bill DATED: 4 OCTOBER, 1991 Official Agent Norman Godding 285 East St. James Road North Vancouver Accountant Helen Hawthorne 2720 Violet Street North Vancouver Retired Office Worker James Straith 202-1217 Lonsdale Avenue North Vancouver Lawyer Donald Rennie 2205 Upland Drive Vancouver Computer Programmer Sill Tomlinson 922 Cloverley Street North Vancouver Plumber LORNA DUDLEY Returning Officer North Vancouver-Seymour Electoral District NOTICE TO MOTORISTS PORTEAU BLUFFS ROCK SCALING PROJECT SEATO-SKY HIGHWAY 99 The Ministry of Transportation and Highways advises that there will be week- Ba day closures on the Sea-to-Sky Highway at Porteau Bluffs, 25 km north of & Horseshoe Bay, from Monday September 30 until Friday November 1. The fim closures are needed for rock scaling, bolting and blasting work. Closures are } scheduled as follows: Monday to Thursday 10:00 AM - 12:30 Noon 1:30 PM - 4:00 PM There will be no closures on Friday afternoons, weekends, statutory holidays, Advance Polling Days or on Election Day. For further information, please contact the Ministry of Transportation and Highways 24-Hour Road Report at 525-4997 (Greater Vancouver), 938-4997 tas (Whistler), 371-4997 (Kamloops), 860-4997 (Kelowna), 855-4997 (Abbotsford), 380-4997 (Victoria). In all other areas please call 1-800-663-4997. Friday 10:00 AM - 12:30 Noon Province of British Columbia Ministry of Transportation and Highways Hon. Lyall Hanson, Minister Let the consumers of the North Shore see what you have to offer ‘nem this fail. The Fall Car Care Guide provides you with an affective means of reaching thousands of potential customers with your product - or service. Boost your fall sales and get your share of the $907,307 that is spent avery day on automotive products and services in North and West Vancouver. All editorial and pictorial will focus on Fall and Winter car care, products and services. News readers will be informad cf the Fall Gar Care Guide by way of promotional advertising to enhanca teadership. For racre information on how you can participate, contact FALL CAR CARE GUIDE Deadline: Fri., October 18 issue Date: Fri. October 25 a north Shore : Gary Crossiay } 960-0514 Pater Kvarnstrom 986-4222 SUNDAY « WEONESDAY © FRIDAY