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40 -- PORT PERRY STAR -- Tuesday, September 15, 1987 Old age: helping parents plan their future | It is not an uncommon problem. You might be a busy executive under severe time pressures or a two income family without the time or knowledge available to search. But if-an aged parent becomes ill you want the best availablé help for them. Where or who do you turn to"? There are more people growing older today than ever before. The facts are startling. Fact: One in ten people in Ontario are over age 65. Fact: By the year 2030, almost one in four people will be over 65 with the 85 years of age or older group growing at the fastest rate. We are all going to live longer, as will our parents. And with increas- ed lifespans come a myriad of pro- blems. Foremost among those pro- blems is the question of health and well being; a question that usually has to be answered by the adult children of aged parents. When a parent's health starts to fail, emotions run deep. There are feelings of love and devotion, frustration and guilt. It is a time when you are at your peak but your parents gre deteriorating and are starting to need the type of care which you cannot give. They have given so much to you, and although they may still be independent, your parents seem to be faltering just ever so slightly. Dr. Aldred H. Neufeldt, former consultant to the National Council on Aging, says that feelings of guilt by the adult children of aged parents are very common. "These feelings are often com- pounded by frustration," adds Neufeldt. 'Frustration, in that they are not really sure what their parents need or where to get it. There are so many options available, but most only think of nursing homes which further adds to the feelings of guilt." Jim Kelly, president of Toronto's Complete Geriatric Care, has work- ed in the geriatric field for over 25 years. As a former Nurse Consul- tant and Social Worker, she saw a need for a total service that could analyze, co-ordinate and then pro- vide a link between the elderly and the various options available to them. She also saw a need for a ser- vice that could assist the elderly in doing their own life-planning. This need has only recently been recognized by the province in its 1986 White Paper, A New Agenda. In addition to the White Paper, the Grossman Task Force on Human and Social Services issued a discus- sion 'paper which. concluded "...there is a critical and urgent need to develop a more co-ordinated and community based approach to care for the elderly." Kelly says that many of the elder- ly are caught between services and facilities and usually end up becom- ing victims of the system. 'So many decisions have to be made in such a short period of time that some peo- ple just give up,' she adds. "And in more than a few cases, the wrong decision is made." Before a decision to institu- tionalize an elderly person is made, a total assessment of the present liv- 985.7383 235 QUEEN ST. ~ STAR Office Products PORT PERRY - UXBRIDGE Star-Office Products A division of Port Perry Star Company Ltd 45 BROCK ST. 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This includes talking to the elderly's children and grandchildren, a thorough examination of their wants and needs and consultations with their physician. "But most important is a talk with the elderly person," Kelly adds. "Too many decisions are made without their input. And as in- dependence is precious, the decision to place the elderly in a nursing home should be a last resort." "Perhaps all that is needed is a program like Meals-On-Wheels or Homehelp for two afternoons a week. This would avoid a complete upheaval in the life of the elderly person. But if placement as an alter- native is absolutely necessary, counselling and compassionate ad- vice can make all the difference,' Kelly concludes. Dr. Neufeldt agrees. "Whether you are elderly or not," he says, "a move is traumatic. With the proper preparation and home support, however, a move is usually not necessary. But if one does have to be made, counselling can help make 4t more of a transition rather than an upheaval. The emotional support of all members of the extended family is essential." Jim Kelly founded Complete Geriatric Care in 1981 as a con- sulting service that acts as a liaison between the elderly and the options available. '"We are not in this business to become millionaires," she says, "we just want to provide a total service to fill in the gaps. There are many gaps and many solutions to care-givers in both the public and private sectors. At Com- plete Geriatric Care we provide one stop shopping for the solution of the problem of care for our elderly." After extensive consultations and research, Complete Geriatric Care will outline all of the options and choices available to the elderly per- son. On staff are registered nurses, social workers and psychologists who ensure professional advice and compassionate life transitions. The company is on top of all the newest resources, including govern- ment programs, and also lobbies the provincial government in support of favourable legislation for the elderly. Music results Congratulations to Kim Oke, daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Barry Oke of Port Perry for earning an Honours mark of 74 in Grade IV Royal Conservatory piano. Kim is a student of Lisa Bailey. Examination results from the 1986-87 sessions from the studio of Kathy Malcolm, A. MUS., RM.T., Janetville Examinations were con- ducted by the Royal Conservatory of Music, Toronto and the Western Ontario Conservatory of Music, London. Piano Results Grade II: 1st Class Honours- David Hughes. Grade III: 1st Class Honours- Dana Lee, Jennifer Page. Grade IV: 1st Class Honours- Michelle Malcolm. Grade V: Honours- Julie Corden, Jodie Malcolm, Krista Metcalf. Pass- Carrie Saunders. Grade VI: Honours- Christie Corden. Grade VIII: 1st Partial- Julie Cosgrave. Theory Results Grade I Rudiments: 1st Class Honours- Julie Corden, Krista Met- calf. Honours- Christie Corden, Jen- nifer Lee, Jodie Malcolm, Michelle Malcolm. Pass- Carrie Saunders. Grade II Rudiments: 1st Class Honours- Viki Pearce. Ri