NEWS photc Mike Waketield . HILARY King shows the Home Emergency Response System to Capilano Lions member Tony Angel. : Loving Excellence in Home Care Services deny FA We provide the same care YOU would give your parents a and that’s not easy ta find! HOME CARE SERVICES We put the patient Ist * Acute long term cate + Companionship services * Full housckeeping/meal prep. * Personal care * Support to persons with disabilries Registered Nurse consultation available upon request + even flowers! 801-9087 page 24 hours on call. J-tealth Fe esources J std. 879-2231 in-Home Support Services Consistent, Comforting Care at Competitive Prices Specialists ir: Cultural & Seniors Needs « Nurse’s Aides * Home Support Workers * Homemakers ¢ Companions * Live in or Cut Program a for independence Deana Lancaster News Reporter deana@nsnews.com FOR the past 10 years, the North Shore Health Region’s Home Emergency Response System (HERS) has been helping seniors to live independently. On Wednesday, the pro- gram celebrated its Eth anniversary oon othe North Shore. fe was developed in 1988 through =oan anonymous bequest of a North Shore res- ident. The trustees of her estate believed a program wetch would allow seniors to five at home with the knowledge that help was close at hand was in Keeping with her wish- es. . From there, local service Senior’s Hub: a lively, inter- esting group of seniors drop in to meet for coffee and good company every Monday morning at 10 am, in the Lions Gate Hospital cafeteria and every Wednesday at 1:30 p.m. at the Jackabean Creek Hideaway, 114 A West P5ch — everyone is welcome. For information, please call 988- FVIS. groups got involved and have conrinucd to raise funds to support the program. Although similar programs exist in other communities, HERS was designed exelu- sively for the North Shore. Citents of the program wear a small, lightweight pen- dant that can be activated by a push of the button at any cine during the day or night. Onee activated, the clients are immediately connected through a speaker phone with the North Shore Response Centre focated in an office at the North Shore Health Region. “The call comes into the office here,” said Francine Gauder_ of NSHR. “They decide who's needed. It's cus- tomized to each individual.” For example, if the client needs help moving into or out of a wheelchair, the operator at the response centre will call the client's neighbor or family Senior’s discussion group: ‘The WV. Memorial Librarv’s discussion group meets trom 10 am. to 12 p.m. every Tuesday. Upcoming topics include: the histary and cul- ture of Chile with Dennis Biggs, the Consul General of Chile on April 28; and on May 5, a discussion about West Vancouver parks and recreation. Into: 925-9377, Home Heal 1186 Marine Drive, at Pemberton, North Van service * repairs * batteries member tor assistance. Hf the call is more serious, the operator can) contact police, ambulance and fire for them. Even if the resident is unable to speak, appropriate help will be notified, In the past 10 vears, 1,846 clients have benefitted from the service offered by HERS. And in that time, the program has responded to 1,625 emer- gencies, Because of the community support, the fee for clients using the program is low: $30 to install the equipment, a $30 refundable deposit, and a $30 per month monitoring fee. If vou are interested in contributing co support the program or would like more information about HERS, call the NSHR at 983-6004. Stephen Wong Pharmacist CAPSULE COMMENTS Since bacteria are becoming resistant co many of the alder | antibiotics, it is very important to take vour antibiotic prescrip- tion till it’s all gone. Many peo- ple don't and save them in case the infection cores back. This is nor a good idea. The antibiotic may be expired: there may not be enough medication for a com- plete round of therapy; ur you may have a different infection. Our pharmacists are accessible front-line medication experts. if you have any questions about your medications, drop ja and talk co us. We will be very pleased to help you. Free Parking Free Delivery for Pharmacy Prescriptions DAVIES PHARMACY 1401 Sr. Georges 985-8771 Health Care Research in your own Backyard Liens Gate Healthcare Research Foundation GT ite tate Mayor Angus and local physicians established this North Shore based health research . Foundation in 1963. Qver the years the capital base has grown to approximately $600,000, with interest earned supporting critical health care research on the North Shore. Local North Share residents, particulady our seniors, year in. and year out have supported the work of the Foundation through annual memberships, donations and bequests. (nthe fast year alone the Foundation received approximately $60,000 in bequests from North Shore residents. th ecent bealth research projects have included the Kiwanis transition project - 4 project assessing E\the impact on residents of relocation from an existing residential facility to a newly opened facility, The information gained tram this project will belp other residential care facitities across Canada to plan such moves in the future. In addition, Dr. Stephen Shatansky at Lions Gate Hlospitat is analyzing risk factors in critically iH pagents with a focus on heparin. There are many other important studies currently under way firnded by the foundation, including diabetes and palliative care tesearch. CT he Board of Directors of the Research Foundation thanks the residents of the North Shore for 2 their support over the Last 35 years. Without this support the important research work carried out by health professionals for our community would not be possible. For more information about the Foundation please call us at 984-4222. If you would dike to become a member ot senda donation, please wate to us at Lions Gate fealtheare Research Foundation, P.O. Box 86639, North Vancouver BG VTL AL. RCH. FOUND: