Seniors wanting to take advantage of various local services will now be able talk to the new director of the Close to Home program.
Last week, Helen Edwards was hired as the program’s new senior’s health services coordinator.
Edwards, previously employed as program manager and assistant administrator at Saugeen Valley Nursing Centre, said she looks forward to the challenges of her new job.
“I was excited at the opportunity to assist seniors with staying in their homes as long as possible,” she said.
Edwards has been busy connecting with various contacts in the community and making appointments with councils and other organizations, as well a local seniors, to help get some feedback on how best to do her job.
She said the goal is “to provide a one-stop shop” where seniors can get all the information they need about programs available to them, and also about what services may be lacking in the area.
Though she’s only been on the job two weeks, Edwards said she has received a warm welcome.
“There’s been lots of support in the community,” she said.
Mapleton Township is the lead on the Close to Home program, though the program will also be expanded to include Minto and Wellington North Townships.
Edwards, a Mount Forest resident, will have an office at the new medical clinic in Drayton, and eventually, also have offices in Minto and Wellington North.
She identified transport-ation, health care, and recreation as three of the main services on which the program will focus.
She added the first step in helping seniors access those services is making sure seniors are aware what is available.
She said she is looking forward to interacting with local clients.
“This is an opportunity to enhance the lives of seniors in our community and ensure they’re taken care of the way the deserve,” she said.
“They’ve given us everything over the years and this is an opportunity to give back,” she added.
Edwards is not yet settled in at the new medical clinic.
For now, she can be reached at the township office at 519-638-3313.
The Close to Home program was approved last year, when it received a grant of $507,500 as part of the Aging at Home strategy developed by the Waterloo Wellington Local Health Integration Network.
The Mapleton program – will receive $143,900 in 2008-09, $184,300 in 2009-10, and $179,300 in 2010-11 – was one of 20 in the network’s catchment area to receive a grant last year.
The WWLHIN was allocated over $37.6-million from the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care’s Aging At Home provincial initiative. Province wide, $700-million over three years is being invested.
The network’s Aging At Home strategy is to provide a suite of services for seniors to enable them to live as independently as possible, for as long as possible, in a safe home of their choice.
More information about the Aging At Home – including a complete description and list of programs receiving grants – can be found at wwlhin.on.ca or by contacting the network office at 519-822-6208.
