New Voicemail System
DHS has installed a new Voicemail System to improve upon our efficiency. When you call DHS during normal business hours of Monday to Friday 8:30 am to 4:30 pm you can expect to have a live person answer your phone calls. After hours you will receive Voicemail with the option to transfer to our On-Call Coordinator or leave us a message. DHS is available 24 hours per day to take your calls.July 2 2008 - 15:09:25 CST
Caregiver Stress
Taking
care of a family member can be incredibly
overwhelming.
Now, new research shows that when we care
for others, we often aren’t caring for
ourselves.
As a
family caregiver, you’re trying to do it all:
juggling work, family and care for the sick or
elderly loved one, but you may be putting your
own health at risk.
Many
caregivers say that they don’t have time to
take care of themselves.
They tend to put off doctor’s
appointments, dentist appointments, exercise
time, etc.
Approximately
5 million Canadians struggle as caregivers.
That’s one out of every 4 women and men
in the country.
Strangely enough, new research recently
completed by the National Family Caregivers
Association in the U.S. finds that most don’t
see themselves as caregivers.
Nonetheless, the stress on them is there,
although they may not realize the cause.
Suzanne
Mintz, spokesperson for the group says: “The
new study shows that intense stress, such as
caregiving, actually ages you.
You can age as much as 10 years, which is
extraordinary to think that by giving too much
of yourself you are lessening your own life and
therefore may not be there for the one you love.”
Mintz says “that the first step forward
is to acknowledge that you are a caregiver, then
look at how it’s affecting your life.
Finally, if you’re overwhelmed, don’t
be afraid to ask for help.”
“It’s
really important for people to understand that
if they know a family caregiver that they should
offer help. Not just say ‘Call me if you need me’,
but offer very specific help:
‘Can I bring over meals every Tuesday
for the next month?
Don’t worry about the grass; we’ll
cut it for you’.”
If you are a caregiver, look at how much time you’re spending on yourself. You’ll probably find that it’s not that much. Seek help from your community. There are many social networks that are there for you.
July 1, 2008 CST
Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Program
This is a Federal Program provided by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. It is available to owner-occupants and/or disabled persons. This program provides a maximum forgivable loan of $16,000 for repairs and modifications for homeowners and disabled persons. This eligibility for this grant is for lower income applicants, depending on circumstances, less than $29,000 for single and $43,000 for couples. This program covers the cost of equipment such as Hoyer lifts, bath lifts, stair lifts and modifications to your bathroom or house for disabled personsCLICK HERE TO READ PAST 100 ARTICLES...
