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Help is just around the corner
Mac Olsen
South Peace News
The Senior Wellness and Information Fair had it all!
Organizations providing information about emergency preparedness, renovations to improve bathtub access and quit smoking strategies and other issues to name a few.
“We do this every year on the first day of Seniors Week,” says Kathy Gould, the coordinator of the event for Big Lakes Family and Community Services. “It gives seniors the opportunity to know what’s … available to help them.”
Hector Renaud, owner of Renaud’s Renos Inc., had information about Safety Bath Inc.’s products to make entry and exit from the bathtub easier.
“We make it safer and easier for seniors to get in and out of the bathtub,” says Renaud. “We cut into the existing tub they have, we put an insert in that allows them to walk over a six-inch lip rather than the two-foot side of the tub that they normally would.”
It takes about four and a half hours to make the modifications, but the product helps seniors continue to live safely and independently.
“It’s a safer environment (and) they can stay in their homes a lot longer. They don’t need assistance,” Renaud says.
He also sells walk-in bathtubs like those advertised on TV, but they’re made in Saskatchewan for about half the price. Continued below.
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Lily Freeborn, left, talks to Hector Renaud about Safety Bath Inc.’s products to make entry and exit from the bathtub easier.
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Gail Michaud, of Alberta Health Services, Addiction and Mental Health, formerly ADAAC, had information about quit smoking strategies and smoking prevention. She also had information about drug use and the elderly, as well as a booklet for recording and tracking their medication use.
Michaud says it’s important to provide information at events like the fair.
“I think that a lot of seniors don’t have the (knowledge about drug problems). They hear about drug problems and (they) know that drugs are a problem, but they don’t have the exposure to the drugs or (know) what the drugs can do,” says Michaud.
“They only have second-hand information, so they can find out anything they need or want to know. We try to … share knowledge.”
Seniors in need of support services could talk to Lisa Johnson of Accredited Supportive Living Services. She is also a supported employment coordinator for ASLS in Grimshaw.
“We provide services to people with disabilities and barriers, residential services, employment services and a whole variety of things,” Johnson says.
High Prairie has a really tight service community and the ASLS wants to be part of it, she adds.
“We like to support High Prairie by coming to these events so everyone’s aware of what’s going on here and (the services) they can access. We just like to be part of the community.”
The local employment counsellor for ASLS, Roger Cardinal, works with those facing barriers to employment. He works in the Moostoos Building.
Just as families and individuals should be prepared for disaster, so too should seniors and Pat Cooke of the Canadian Red Cross was there to promote the 72-hour disaster kit.
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Pat Cooke shows the 72-hour disaster kit and a wind-up radio which everyone should have, including seniors.
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“They should be aware of what needs to be put into a kit in case we do have a disaster,” Cooke says.
“You need to have your medication; sanitary supplies like garbage bags and rubber gloves; and a notebook so that if you have to leave the house, you can leave a message on the door. You need to have all your important phone numbers and prescriptions written down. You need a candle and a radio.”
It’s also important to put food and water in the kit and items like granola bars don’t take up much space.
“If we were evacuated, we’d be able to take our kits with us and everything we needed to survive would be there,” she adds.
The Canadian Red Cross, St. John’s Ambulance and retailers also sell the kits. For more information, please contact Pat Cooke at 780-539-7127.
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