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WHITBY FREE PRESS, WEDNESDAY, .UNE 30, 1976, PAGE 9 Red Cross homemakers help in family crises A family crisis such as a sick wife, and no one to take care of the children can be a problern and cause worry, but the Whitby Red Cross is ready to lielp through its homerWaker service. Through the homeinaker service an experienced woman will come to the home and assure the care of the house- hold until the wife is well and able to take care of the family again. The Whitby Red Cross employs 15 qualified home- makers, trained to deal with practically any situation. These homemakers are care- fully chosen, trained and supervised by the Red Cross. "The Homemaker service enables families *to stay together, which might have had to be broken otherwise", says Altamae Eberlee, home- maker service chairman at the Whitby Red Cross branch. A homernaker gives the family members the sympath- etic support they need. She maintains home life until the emergency is over, or helps sustain the home during a long-tern illness. However, the service is not limited to age groups or families. "We've found that the service is very much needed among senior citizens who live at home, but have no relatives near who can take care of them or offer help when needed", says Mrs. Eberlee. Thus, on special arrange- ments, a homemaker will visit senior citizens, cook their meals and help with the house chores as often as require d. Red Cross officials say the service is beneficial, not, only to those directly involved, but it also contributes to society. By permitting the father or mother to continue to 'work, absenteeism is- reduced, yet he or she can trust that the family is in good care. By having homemakers help with house chores, many sick, aged and handicapped people can remain in their homes. With the recent hospital bed cutbacks the Red Cross Homemaker Service can be of assistance in the home, thereby leaving the hospital and other institution beds for more urgent cases. There are three plans under which an individual can qualify for homemaker service. The first comes under the social services department, which will provide the needed funds for those who cannot afford to pay for the home- maker. Also, under OHIP, a doctor cani request home- rmaker service for someone discharged from hospital, and OH-IP will cover the costs, provided that the patient is receiving daily visits from a VON nurse or Public Health Nurse. Many people are nlot aware, says the Red Cross, that premiums for private 'health plan insurance paid by employers on their behalf entitle them to the service of a homemaker for a specific period of time when illness strikes a family. The Red Cross suggests that one check his or her health care plan to sec if he is covered. Any private citizen, when indisposed, can make use of the Red Cross Homemaker Service. If he do not qualify under the above plans he can pay the regular hourly rate to the Red Cross. The homemaker. is care- fully chosen for her mature and stable personality as well as her good health. She receives periodic training for her position and also takes refresher courses every few years. The Whitby Homemakers have completed a St. John's Ambulance First Aid course and a care in the home course, and received their cer- tificates June 24. Those who received certi- ficates in first aid and home nursing are: Johanna Jetten, Gloria Foskett, Ruth Brooks, Sally Rudat, Michelina Duff- hues, Rita Bradford, Dorothy Sanderson and Ruby Munro. Annie Hartford and Bessie Hodges passed the first aid course, and Cornelia Vandyk, Janet DeNoble and Cora Fallow passed the home nursing course. If you need a homemaker or want to become one, con- tact the Whitby Red Cross branch at 668-2741. Local choir gets grant Choir Trembita, based in Whitby, has been awarded a grant of $2,980 from the Ministry of Culture and Recreation's Win tario program. The grant will be put toward the purchase of new costumes and musical equip- PLENTY FOR SENIOR CITIZENS TO DO Last week was Senior Citizens Week and several special events were held. In photo at left, Ruby Pinch, President of the Whitby Garden Club, and Aileen Golding, executive member, inspect Joyce Burns' prize-winning entry in the club's rose show held in the town hall Thursday. The Brass Band provided entertainment outside. In photo at right, senior citizens peruse their bingo cards during the Meals Withoit Wheels' monthly birthday party on Friday. Playing are, from left, Doris Winter, Hilda Quantreil and Phyllis Bulloch. Jim Gomersall is the caller. Before the bingo began, Tommy Cinammon enter- tained with his banjo. Free Press Photo ment. Esss me N.f'«Y4«MMMNNMMMM MEW " ,.diNßi2§§ §EM i4:i The Blin Rights Acti onJul - Here's wha says and h resident This new Act provides that a blind person accompanied For further i by a dog guide has the same rights, privileges and tion Card or a obligations-with respect to public places-as Office of the anyone else. He or she cannot be discriminated Ministry of ti against or denied any accommodation, services or 18 King Stre facilities available in any place to which the public Toronto, On is customarily admitted. It is important that dog guide owners know their rights under the Act and that the public, especially employers and their employees, be made aware of Ministry of th the provisions of the Act and their responsibilities . Attorney Gen under it. R. Roy McMu The Attorney General of Ontario will issue identifi- Attorney Gen cation cards to dog guide owners. The card will carry a photograph of the owner and dog, as well as their names, and will also carry a summary of the main features of the Act. d Persons' becomes law 411976. t the new law 1ow Ontario s can help. nformation, application for an Identifica- copy of the Act itself, contact: General Manager ie Attorney General eet East tario M5C 1C5 e eral rtry, William Davis, eral Premier Province of Ontario -f om a kk . le MINIIIIIIIMMÈR IL 1