DATE: FEBRUARY 13th, 2012
HOST: Kehila Richmond
VENUE: Beth Tikvah Synagogue, Richmond
EMPOWERMENT SERIES CHAIR: Ken Levitt
MODERATOR: Marilyn Berger
COORDINATOR: Karon Shear 

ATTENDANCE: 60 – 65 people

The third session “Your Health Care Options”, coordinated by the Kehila Richmond Jewish Seniors, took place at Beth Tikvah synagogue on Feb. 13th.

Marilyn Berger
Event Chairperson
Introduced the topic and the speakers.

Peter Silin
President of Diamond Geriatrics
An expert in senior’s care and the passage from independence to dependence:-

• Transitioning to a care facility can be a positive experience but it can also be a harrowing experience.
• What is needed is a process to be worked through.
• Transitioning should be on a person’s own terms, where possible.
• Is there a right time to move? Clearly, the answer is “NO”.
• Much thought and family support is required.

Indicators of a need to review one’s living situation could include:

• inability to provide self care, forgetting when to take medication, incontinence, and sleep disorders.

Diamond Geriatrics provides private care management, counselling, consulting and advocacy. Their emphasis is assisting their clients to make choices, maintaining independence and dignity.

Joanne Haramia
Director of Seniors’ Services for the Jewish Family Service (JFSA)
Spoke about the importance to plan for care and retirement while still in your 40′s and 50′s. Aging in place is always preferred but it needs to be part of an overall plan, which includes financial, quality of life and independence.

When the provincial government decreased funding for home care JFSA initiated its own home care program. Client’s who require home care service are charged on their ability to pay. Haramia gave a scenario of a single elderly female who began to develop physical challenges and with some specified home care was able to remain at home with a high degree of independence. At a certain point this elderly female developed further physical challenges and even some cognitive impairments. Increased home care allowed her to remain in her private residence for another period but with increased costs. After further challenges and declines it was time to move to a full time care facility.

Haramia spoke about a new model of care that is beginning to develop in the USA. It is best characterized as neighbors helping neighbors. It can take place in a apartment or in housing neighborhood. One person may volunteer to do the shopping for one or more neighbors. This role could expand to doing other errands or neighbors taking turns. It could even involve a group of neighbors hiring persons to do their shopping, house cleaning and cooking. This is an innovative concept that deserves serious consideration for a local initiative.

A lively question and answer period took place following the presentations.

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INFORMATION:
Counselling and consulting on eldercare:
Diamond Geriatrics:
www.diamondgeriatrics.com   tel: 604.874.7764
ElderPost.com contains free classifieds for Seniors, Caregivers, Products, Services
JFSA Seniors Department:
www.jfsa.ca
tel: 604.257.5151