Parental care seminar is Nov. 12 in Drayton

DRAYTON

The Mapleton CATS (Community Awareness Training Seminar) team has announced that Helen Edwards and Robin Smart will lead seminars on Parental Care and Intervention.

The focus will be on the signs of normal forgetfulness, beginning stages of dementia and legal aspects of parent care, as well as what services are available in the community and access to nursing homes.

Edwards is the seniors’ health services co-ordinator for the Township of Mapleton as well as the program co-ordinator with the Seniors Centre for Excellence. She works closely with seniors and knows firsthand what the needs are as well as how children can help provide care for aging parents.

Smart is the public education co-ordinator for the Alzheimer’s Society of Guelph -Wellington. She has also worked in long-term care positions (working to address seniors’ dietary and recreation needs), including as the admissions coordinator for one facility.

The CATS committee is having an information mall with representatives from Warm Embrace, Hospice and the Community Care Access Centre confirmed to date. Life Line is also providing information resources for this event.

“This promises to be a very informative morning which will help us be better caregivers to parents, grandparents, close relatives, or others that we find ourselves looking after,” said CATS chairman Jim Curry.

“Also some of us may be nearing the time of our lives where we need to consider our long-term care and how to help plan for that. I encourage adults of all ages to join us on Nov. 12.”

The CATS committee would like to hear from those involved in seniors support organizations that would be able to join the event (they should let organizers know in advance so they can be acknowledged).

Organizers said the more resources they have the better participants can network to provide the best possible care for those they love.

The CATS team is a group of individuals that gives time and talents to host seminars in Mapleton Township that focus on mental health and learning issues. Members include: Pastor Al Dreise, Jim and Annette Curry, Teresa Dekker, Joanne Koetsier, Clara Stevens, Trudy Stroetinga, Harold and Dorothy Struyk, and Teresa Wikkerink.

The seminar will be held Nov. 12 from 9am to 1pm at the Drayton Christian Reformed Church (88 Main Street East).Advance registration is not required and a suggested donation of $10 per person is appreciated to help with expenses.

Transportation arrangements for those in need will be provided and for that contact Dekker at 519-638-2542, or email info@mapletoncats.org. For further details visit www.mapletoncats.org.

 

October 28, 2011