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A CHATS dietitian _stepped- in, providing nutritional information that worked. After his wife, Elsie, and son, Ken, died in quick succession, his hunger suppressed and his weight suddenly dropped 14 pounds. Mr. Aida, well known in Stoufl'ville as a for- mer downtown dry cleaner, calls CHATS “a lifeâ€" saver". Mthout the CHATS workers providing per- sonal care and homemaking services, Mr. Aida and Mrs. Hanson admit they’d be in long-term care homes. They live by themselves in apartments at ParkviewVillage in Stoufiville. But they aren’t alone. CHATS, which provides services to help seniors stay in theirown houses or apartments, celebrated its 10th anniversary of work at the Ninth Line complex last month. There are 250 CHATS clients in Whitchurch- Stoufl’ville, including 60 at Parkview. BY 11M MASON jmason @yrm g. com Tat Aida, 93, and May Hanson, 92, are the poster children for Community Home Assis- tance to Seniors. and May Hanson, both CHATS clients at Parkview Village, share memories with Angela Silvera, a personal sup- port worker, the first staffer to start with the service 10 years ago. CHATS has 250 clients in Whitchurch- Stoufl'ville, including 60 at Parkview Village. SENIORS: CHATS marks 10 years of helping Parkvew residents in Stouffville Tat Aida (left) community in which I rwide. ” “Immmmmmdmmm‘ Immeltdefinitelymakesmefednmmfonnedabmtme mmmmfltthhidflmdde.” Not 50 home QZOfiE mmmm WWW!” Workers are in and out of her apartment four times a day. “They are friends, they are not servants,” she said. “I’ve got too much up here,” she said, chuckling and pointing to her head, “to be in a home.” ‘ "It’s really something,” she said. “If I didn’t hayehelp, I couldn’t stay here. Mrs. Hanson has been with CHATS for all 10 years. She rarely leaves her apartment but made a point of attending the CHATS celebration in the Parkview auditorium to thank the service in a speech. Mr. Aida takes painting classes and coaches women's snooker at Parkview. His apartment wallé are lined with family photographs. Not that hé’é a recluse, in spite of giving up driving this year. “They take the loneliness out of the day,” he said, while firing up an old movie on his DVD player. really get to know all of them." Workers pop in three or four times a day to helpAl‘fim with daily chores. Mrs. Hanson and her husband Mr. Aida has also suffered diabetes~related rnor CHATS provides other services, including giving rides and dining out events. For more information on CHATS, go to /www. Joe, chats.on.ca or call 18774524287. “Bottom line, CHATS allows more seniors to live at home safely and comfortably, by sup- porting their health, wellness and daily living needs," she said. Services include bersonal care. homemaking and meal preparation. “CHATS services are vital to our overloaded health care system," Ms Chivers said. “They help alleviate pressure on the system by freeing up hospital and long-term care The program was launched at Parkview with 12 clients and eight staff. Today, the 60 clients can receive assisted living sen/ices 24 hours a day, seven days a week “There’s no plaice like home,” said Wyn Chiv- ers, executive director of CHATS. “When my husband died, I was surrounded by friends," she said. “I couldn’t leave here and CHATS was on the other side of the door, if there was an emergency.” moved into Parkview when it opened 23 years ago. STAFF PHOTO/SJOERD WITTEVEEN Summitview is at 6551 Main St., at the corner of Main and Stoufier streets. All proceeds will go towards the purchase of sports, music and computer equipment for the school. A bazaar will take place in the gym. Items available for sale include jewelry. crafts and kitch- en wares. The school choir will perform from 4:30 to 6 pm. and everyone is encouraged to sing along. There will also be hot choco- late and crepes available from the French room, as well as other desserts. Each classroom on the school’s main floor will host various activities that include games, crafts, face painting and cake decorating. Students and their families as well as membeis from the com- munity at large are welcome to attend. Summitview Public School will host its first-ever Communi- ty Wmter Fun Fair on Thursday from 4:30 to 8:30 pm. Have some winter fun at Summltview's fair The parade route roads will be closed from 2 to 4 pm. The parade starts at 2 pm. at Tenth Line and Aintree Drive, then heads south along Tenth Line to Main Street, where it will then go west to Southwire. Books are also available, free of charge, at The Sunâ€"Tfibune offices, 6290 Main St., Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 pm. The book, sponsored by Stouffw’lle-area businesses, includes lyrics to such holiday favourites as Silver Bells, Must Be Santa, Happy Holiday and Rocking Around the Christmas A Christmas carol book will be given out by Sun-Tri- bune carriers during today's Stouffville Kinsmen Santa Claus parade. Extra! Extra! Carol books given out at parade today Whitchurch-Stouffville News Digest Visit yorkregion.com for more on these and other stories Jl