The Editor,
Statistics Canada’s 2008–2009 Canadian Community Health Survey found that 19 per cent of seniors aged 65 or over felt left out, isolated from others, or that they lacked companionship. As part of our mission to provide all people with the highest quality of holistic care, St. Joseph’s Hospital recognizes that social isolation touches many aspects of an individual’s life, including active participation, healthy aging, income security, caregiving and transportation. Further, social isolation can lead to depression and increased vulnerability to elder abuse, among other concerns.
In an effort to provide support to folks living within our community St. Joseph’s Hospital has been committed to funding the Adult Day Program. This amazing program provides individuals with access to socialization, camaraderie and health-care professionals.
This in turn frees up acute care beds as well as allowing folks to remain living independently for a longer period of time. As with most things in health care, funding is always a challenge. Prior to our relationship with United Way Estevan there were gaps that went unmet as all money went into providing for basic programming and support to the clients. With the help of the United Way, programming has been enhanced to meet the more diverse needs of the clients.
United Way funding has made available puzzles and books designed for aging eyes. One lady was visibly choked up as she spoke of seeing her husband read for the first time in years when he was given a book that had proper font for aging eyes and was purchased with United Way funds.
Musical instruments have also been purchased, allowing for clients and residents to make music. With the use of these instruments folks who may have dexterity issues can usually find an instrument to play. Music is a great resource as it is recognized by both the right and left side of the brain. This means that even though one might have some deficit due to stroke, dementia etc., the side of the brain that isn’t affected can recognize the music and respond.
With the funding provided by United Way we were able to bring in a speaker so that all recreation staff could have a day of training in Montessori Methods of Dementia. This course now allows staff to speak the same language, to recognize signs and symptoms of dementia and thus adapt programming to meet the needs of clients/residents.
Looking forward to Christmas, we will be able to provide each resident/client with a gift that will be of a higher quality.
Most importantly this year, only because of United Way funding, we were able to fund a spot in the Adult Day Program for persons who otherwise would not be able to attend. It is our goal and hope that we continue to be able to provide a number of spaces each year so that no one who wants to access the program would be denied due to lack of financial resources.
With the funding that we have been approved for next year we will be able to purchase a vital monitor machine and additionally a few new games to keep clients active both physically and mentally. The remaining funds will be used primarily for the purpose of funding client’s participation in the Adult Day Program.
Marian Huber,
Director of Spiritual Care
St. Joseph’s Hospital
