56 - Wednesday, October 28, 1987 VOLUNTEERS ~ North Shore News Support workers receive tribute MAYORS MARILYN Buker, Jack Loucks and West Vancouver Aiderman Pat Boname were on hand Saturday, Oct.24 to pay a special tribute to home support workers and volunteers at an ap- preciation tea held in their honor. Oct. 18 to 24 was proclaimed Home Support Week by the Ca- nadian Council on Homemaker Service and provincially by the Home Support Association of British Columbia. The North Shore Home Support Service Society is a non-profit organization that has been pro- viding support services to seniors, physically disabled clients, and farnilies in crisis since 1963. UNSUNG HEROES “The work that home support workers do each day means that over 1,600 seniors in our com- munity can enjoy the independence of living in their own homes,"’ said board president Doug Hartry of the 250 home support workers employed by the North Shore Home Support Services Society. “You are the unsung heroes ~-° working behind the scenes in clients’ homes and quietly making the difference between someone being able to live at home, rather than being cared for in a hospital or nursing home.’’ The socicty provides a variety of programs that are designed to support clients and families living in the community. The Homemaker program pro- vides assistance with personal care needs, meal preparation and household .management. Service varies from daily or live-in help to weekly, and in some cases mon- thly, assistance. An increasing number of people are choosing to die at home, and. home support workers are a part of the Lions Gate Hospital's palliative care program. ; ISOLATED SENIORS The Respite service offers com- panionship to isolated seniors and relief to family members who are charged with caring for someone who cannot be left alone. ‘‘The in- crease in clients with Alzheimer’s disease is placing an incredible strain on families in our communi- ty,’’. said Hartry. ‘‘Respite assistance enables family caregivers to have some time away — to shop ~ or just relax, and so helps to pre- vent family burn out.’”’ The society also sponsors a con- gregate meal program in one of the seniors’ buildings in West Van- couver, A hot meal and social program. brings seniors together to encourage good nutrition and socialization. . “Our society has as its goal the provision of any form of support that will help people on the North Shore to live. in their own home environment for as long as possi- ble,” said Hartry. ‘‘We are very excited about our most recent pro- ject — the development of a medi- cal alert system.”’ This program, which is being developed in conjunction with Lions Gate Hospital, will provide seniors with the means of obtain- ing immediate help when an emergency arises. ‘‘We are plann- ing to have this in effect by December,’’ said Hartry. SUPPORT SERVICES In addition to providing clients with a more desirable way of liv- ing, home support services save the province millions of dollars. The’ Home Support Association of B.C. estimated that close to $160 million was saved in the province last year by providing in-home care, , Projections show that in the next 10 years the population on the North Shore over the age of 85 will increase by 68 per cent. As this age group places a high demand on health care, home support services will be the growing health service of the future, says the association. In addressing home support workers, clients and community representatives attending the ap- preciation tea, Hartry commented that “it is difficult to truly ap- preciaie the value of a homemaker or respite worker until you see someone close to you receiving help from one of them. The North Shore is indeed fortunate to have the high calibre of home support workers who truly extend the community spirit of caring and. commitment each day in the work that they do, “As president of the North Shore Home Support Services Society, I would like to personally NORTH VANCOUVER City Mayor Jack Loucks addresses more than 200 people who gathered recently at thank each of our dedicated staff.'’ Lions Gate Hospital. The occasion was to honor North Shore home support workers. The *1 business class and the* 1 reason why YOu have every reason to smile. After all, you helped us design one of the finest business classes in the world. And now you're helping to make it the most successful. Because, you and your colleagues choose to fly Executive Class more often than any other business class. And to enjoy its real comforts, wherever in the world business takes you. Executive Class. Consistently superior service on 225 flights daily MEMBER OF ALLIANCE OF CANADIAN TRAVEL ASSOCIATIONS. 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