neay. January 20, 1991 - North Shore News - 34 LIFESTYLES Help is a button away Emergency box a boon for seniors THE RECENT bad weather that hit the North Shore created serious problems for many local residents. Perhaps the hardest hit were the elderly, many of whom were left alone in their homes, some without electricity and heat. And if they needed help, in the event of a medical emergency or otherwise, chances are they would be unable to contact anyone. That's where the Home Emergency Response Unit (HERU) can play a vital role. The HERU is a small box with a “help call’’ button attached to it. A person, who needs help, simply has to push the button once and a signal will be activated at the offices of the North Shore Home Emergency Response, who will then determine what the emergency is, and an ambulance will be dispatched to the person’s home. At night, the system is monitored by Lions Gate Hospi- tal. In addition to the HERU, the client also wears a pendant around his or her neck. If unable to make it to the HERU, the client simply presses a button on the pendant and again, the system is activated. Paulette Mossop, program co- ordinator for North Shore Home Emergency Response, said 239 people on the North Shore are us- ing the units. She adds that the unit is primarily being used by the el- derly, who may have difficulty us- ing the telephone, but that it can also be used by anyone who has an injury, is alone or has any other kind of disability. “It’s good that people had this By Surj Rattan News Reporter during the recent power outages. It runs on a battery, and we kept calling people back to make sure they were alright,’’ says Mossop. The HERU, which can be rented for $27.50 a month, also has a reset button, which must be pushed twice a day. If it is not, says Mossop, the system will be activated and a signal will go off at either North Shore Home Emergency Response or at LGH. “‘When that happens and we phone the person and can’t get anyone ¢t home, or we can’t find one of the client’s responders, then ‘ve’re obligated to send an ambulance,’ says Mossop. ‘You find that the sons and daughters want this for their parents. People should be able to stay in their homes as long as possible. It makes families feel better.” Mossop adds that the service is something the local ambulance service and the clients who use the system recognize as being impor- tant. **They like the fact that it’s monitorcu Ly the hospital,”’ says Mossop. The North Shore Home Emergency Response was started in May 1989 and the office relies heavily on donations from the public to stay in business. A re- cent mail out campaign netted the office about $26,000 in donations. “It’s been very well received on CLOSING OUT SALE! FINAL CLEARANCE ALL STOCK MUST BE LIQUIDATED! FAMOUS NAME CASCADE eersioune mai —- MUSIC CENTRES a donation basis. donations come from the elderly,”’ says Mossop. SAVE 40-70% e PIANOS ¢ ORGANS e KEYBOARDS Oakridge Mall 5172 Kingsway, Burnaby 435-1010 NEWS photo Mike Wakefield THE HOME Emergency Response Unit, installed in the home of a needy person, could turn out to be life saver in the event of a medical emergency. A lot of the LOCATIONS”; * 270-2115 263-1822 Save up fo 50% <= | verticals & venetians Offer ends Feb. 28/94 Free Venetian Blind Cleaners, with the first 25 orders. (min. $50 purchase) A SHADE BETTER Specializing in Blinds and Draperies for over 7 years. 1877 Marine Dsive, N.Van. 984-41 04 #4-38918 Progress Way, Squamish | Music school holds concert WHAT DO cat lovers and music enthusiasts have in common? The faculty of Capilano College Community Music Schoo! is hoping it's A Feline Fantasy. The light-hearted variety benefit, with performers garbed in colorful costumes based on a cats theme, features musical performances and well-known local performers such as tenor Lars Kaario and guitarist Stephen Boswell. The concert, held 2 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 20 at St. An- drew’s United Church in North Vancouver, is open to all ages. Tickets are $3 for adults and $2 for students and seniors (or $8 for the whole family). Proceeds go to the Capilano College Community Music School. For information phone 984-4902. Flautist performs LOCAL FLAUTIST Joanna G'Froerer will perform in con- cert on CBC FM Radio this Sunday as part of the station's Westcoast Performance Series. At age 18, G’Froerer is well on her way to a dazzling ca- reer, She recently won the Concours OSM, the prestigious national competition for in- strumentalists presented by the Montreal Symphony Orchestra. Accompanied by Richard Coombes, G’Froerer will play works by Prokofiev and Deep Cove’s Michael Conway Baker. The _ Program begins at 3:05 sugg. retail 892-5857