- SENIORS AGM airs seniors’ conce . Mary | Segal \ | * ON Sept. 27, the North Shore Health Kegion held its annual general meeting, which was open to the public. This was not the kind of AGM that many of us are used to. While a financial statement and a glossy annu- al report were presented, no election of officers or other business was conducted. We heard a lot about health services and changes | in the health care system, including the start up of a . NSHR Web site at the address and improvements in hospital- based services. For instance, the wait list for surgery has shortened by 21% since April 1999, and there are ongoing efforts to attract more nurses and specialists to work at Lions Gate Hospital. Of special interest to seniors was a survey conduct- ed by the Seniors Advisory Group of the NSHR, where over 400 older residents of - care facilities and people in their own homes were asked their opinions about public transportation services. To nobody’s surprise, they said that many seniors have trou- -ble getting to medical appointments, shopping or social events because of inconvenient bus schedules and often poorly located bus stops.” : : In the audience at the ~ AGM were several seniors who made comments about _- health matters. Bill Fromson, . chair of the Evergreen House ’ residents’ council, stated that they were upset about the ., fact that a music therapist” service that residents had greatly appreciated, has now been cancelled. He also said that weekends are very drea- ry for many people at Evergreen House because activity workers are only available during the week. Bill, who is the former deputy superintendent of the + North Vancouver school dis- trict, used his financial exper- tise to point out that funds received from residents who “pay extra for private or semi- “private rooms could be used to provide these services that make so much difference to “* someone whose home is a care facility. Another concern was raised about recent cutbacks to homemaker services to over 100 elderly people liv- ing in the community. Margaret Fraser, executive director of Capilano Comnunity Services Seniors Hub program, reported that, with very little notice, seniors who had been receiving, housecleaning services from the Health Region, some- times for many years, received letters stating that this help was being discon- tinued. Although Grant . Spitz, board chair, stated that NEWS photo Julie Iverson BILL Fromson, chairman of Evergreen House residents’ council, spoke out at the North Shore Health Region's annual general meeting Sept. 27. the Health Ministry has directed the Region to pro- vide services at the same level as last year, and in spite of the recent allocation of over a million dollars in additional funds, some programs are being severely cut back or eliminated. Ifyou are concerned about what is happening to health-related services for seniors on the North Shore, you can make your voice heard in several ways. If you have access to the Internet, you could send your com- ments to Grant Spitz, chair- man of the Regional Health Board at their new Web site . Or you can write to the Health Board at 23} E. 15th Street, North Vancouver, B.C., V7L 2L7, and to the Seniors Advisory Group at ‘Earn money delivering the North Shore News Call 986-1337 the same address. Also, if you wish, you may send a copy of your letters to the Minister of Health and Minister Responsible for Seniors, Room 133, Parliament Buildings, Victoria, B.C., V8V 1X4, with copies to your local MLAs. The only way we can make change happen is te speak out, loud and clear! Please visit our showroom for rnore styles We mfr. skong chairs for restaurant/home use Cpen to Public. Buy direct from factory & save! S.W. Furniture Mfg. . Tel: 253-3290 475 Clark Drive, Van Open Monday - Saturday § ’ Routine Care ¥ Diabetics * v House Calls Available ¥ Saturday and early a.m. appointments Dr. David A. Dixon, Podiatrist Your Foot Care Doctor! 107-1940 Lonsdale (604) 984-0471 no Doctor's relerral necessary _ ENTER FROM.15TH STREET ENTRANCE. -. This free forum provides information on Osteoporosis by a multi-disciplinary. team: of Health Professionals from — Lions Gate Hospital including Dr. Susan Haigh ENDOCRINOLOGIST LIONS GATE HOSPITAL CONSULTANT AT 8.C. WOMEN'S HOSPITAL-OSTEOPOROSIS PROGRAM Dr. Philip Cohen DIVISION CHIEF OF NUCLEAR MEDICINE HEAD OF IMAGING AT LIONS GATE HOSPITAL EXHIBITS OPEN AT 6:30PM FOR INFORMATION, CONTACT .- 988-3131, LOCAL 4435 ‘FREE, NO REGISTRATIGN REQUIRED