26 — North Shore News — Sunday, July 16. 2000

Keep

THE North Shore Health Region has been rated by Maclean’s mag- azine as the healthiest region in Canada! aren't we fortunate to be living in such a healthy place!

Recendy, the North Shore Health Region held a public meeting at the new Holiday Inn on Lillooet Road in North Vancouver. About 100 people were there, including members of the Health Region Board, senior staff, and the general public. A nuniber of senicrs were pre- sent, including representatives of the Seniors’ Advisory Group who advise the Region on health-related issues of special interest to seniors.

We heard from Grant Spitz, Board Chair, and Bruce Harber, CEO ef the Health Region, who summarized their recent activities and introduced us to the Year

Sharing a Vision of Health

‘LIONS GATE ‘ HOSPITAL’S Caring Community Calendar

Prostate Cancer Support Group Tues. July 24 at 7:30 p.m. in the Auditorium (Basement) “Herbal Remedies - What's known and what's not known” Presented by Paula Brown, Research Scientist, BCIT. For more info. call Jack Carlisle at 929-5183 or Burt Anders at 924-0776.

Screening Mammography If you are a woman aged 40 or over, you may refer your- self to this program. For an appointment call 984-5714.

Co, ing with. Cancer upport Group ‘Wednesdays at 10aM. in the Chemotherapy Unit For patients and their families. For information call 984-3709.

Relaxation Group Thursdays at 10 a.m. in the Medical Day Centre For cancer patients, their families and/or caregivers. For information call 984-3709.

_» Asthma Education ‘Mondays at 5 PM. in the Chemotherapy Unit Designed for all ages, the — program is limited to four people per session. To pre- register call 984-3722.

Outpatient Speech Language : Therapy

Assessment and treatment is available for adolescents and adults as well as residents in extended care facilities. For more information call Nicole Armstrong at 988-3131 local 4418. .

Kids Worry Too held on the 1* & 3“ Tuesday of the month at 10:30 a.m. in Seminar Room A A session to help you dei! with children’s unique necds when a parent is diagnosed with cancer. For information call 984-3709 or 984-5831.

2000 Community Health Profile. This document, pre- pared by Medical Health Officer Dr. Brian ©’Connor’s office, outlined our health status and gave some detailed information on why we are so healthy.

For instance, this report confirms the Maclean's survey which points out thar our high income and educational levels are known to help us live longer. Many of us take advantage of our natural sur- roundings by hiking, swim- ming, and skiing. We also have excellent public rccre- ation services so that all of us, no matter how old, can take part in programs especially designed for people with arthritis, heart disease or other problems that are more common in the elderly group.

However, at this meeting, we heard about some of the challenges facing our publicly

funded health care system. As

with all Health Regions in B.C., we are operating with a deficit budget, and we will not know the figures of ovr current year’s budget until the fall. Nevertheless, the Region has gone ahead with a number of steps that will improve services to all of us and especially seniors, who currently account for almost

Caring you can count on. Our complete family support service can

Personal support, homemaking or nursing, services.

SENIORS

half of health care expendi- tures in the province.

Some much needed improvements are the renova- vions to the Dav Surgery Unit at Lions Gate Hospital, and the planned renovations to the Rehab Unit, both services used frequently by seniors. In addition, waiting lists for cataract surgery and other more urgent surgical proce- dures have been shortened, and more home support ser- vices have been provided.

During the question peri- od at the end of the meeting, several issues were raised by seniors. We asked about the status of the hospital chap- laincy program, and were told that an advisory committee is working to coordinate spiritu- al care so that people of all religious backgrounds can have access to 24-hour ser- vices through the hospital and the community.

Grant Spitz was asked why the North Shore Health Region Board does not hold its meetings in public, as hap- pens in other Regions. He replied that board members were recruited on the basis that they would have a gover- nance role which should take only five hours per month of their time. Meetings open to the public would be more fengthy.

Several questions were raised about the use of private clinics for MRI procedures and day surgery. It was stated that there are many “grey areas” in our Medical Services Plan as to exactly what proce- dures should be paid for by the system.

These are all issues that are of particular interest to

Es wecare’

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informed about our heat

seniors, Since we use medical services 3 great deal as we age. It’s up to us ta keep informed about our health

care, and to ask questions of

decision-makers.

Please contact me if you've got concems about our health care system and we'll uy to get the answers for vou.

ith care system

Contact Segal at 985-3852 or drop a line to Lionsview Seniors’ Planning Sucicty, Nerth Building, 600 W. Queens Ra, North Van, B.C, VN 213.

our doctors, politicians, and

JAMES Burton Sr. was awarded a Legion of Honour from the Franch governmient aa for his service in the First World War. He received the award.from Michele de

Jaegar, the consulate general of France, at a ceremony on June 27 at Cedarview y For Your Legs

“Gherap Vou Can. wee With

our doctor wants you to wear medical support stockings to p improve the health cf your legs. A You want to wear something fashionable, not medical. Choose SIGVARIS* medical stockings and pantyhose. They keep your legs locking and feeling their best!

Medical compression stockings have changed in the last 20 years. Graduated compression therapy assists the calf muscle pump to increase venous return, thereby increusing blood flow back to the heart and reducing edema in the legs, People who's careers are stressful to the lower extremities. find compression therapy a great way to help disorders ( varicose veins, mild eden, fatigue).

Please contact your family doctor for a clinical diapnosis. A prescript is required for all medical grade compnssion stockings. 7

GANESH

SOVARS