THE WEEKEND OUTLOOK Friday Discharge Planners a vital part of hospitals Herald Today Hospital based Discharge Planners such as Georgetown Hospital Eunice McGowan are routinely involved in many aspects of patient care The Hospital s Discharge Plan ning Department was established in 1990 Since that time Discharge Planning has been ting as a liaison for the Hospital and the community providing that all important link for pa tients between their hospital recovery and convalesce at home The Hospital uses a team ap proach in the Discharge planning Program Eunice McGowan ex plains We are involved in ongo ing planning with physicians therapists physiotherapists and nursing staff who provide us with a pa tient s medical information As well the Discharge Planning assessments related to the pa tient s social needs allow us to fully evaluate a patient readiness to return to the com munity or a Long Term Care facility notes Understandably a variety of forms and applications including a fivepage Assessment Form ensure that topquality patient care continues after discharge Details such as the patient medical data as well as financial concerns family housekeeping requirements and many other issues are examined before the patient leaves the hospital There are a great many fac tors involved in ensuring the pa makes a smooth transition ciude Meals or GEORGETOWN DISTRICT MEMORIAL HOSPITAL back into the community says For example a patient returning to his or her home after a lengthy hospital say may often require additional counselling m order to make the recovery complete For others with more serious illnesses perhaps alternate living may be necessary Ultimately the same high level of patient care received in the hospital should be available to everyone once they are discharged adds McGowan Through its Discharge Plan the hospital taps into countless outside services in eluding Helping Hands Friendly Visitor Program This service is one of many offered under the Ministry of Community and Soaal Services Home Sup port Program Other services in Town Gardener Jade plant is hardy ByTOMCAVAN JADE PLANT During the winter months the majority of requests lean towards low light plants and the majority of my column deal with low light low maintenance house plants because of winter To make things even harder for the northern gardener architects and builders place heating units below the windows This obviously prevents us from placing plants directly in the win dow because the soil will heat up the plant will dry prematurely and depression sets in Com ments usually are I hav a south facing window where I sacrifice most of my plants or My dief looks like Maple Leaf bacon on a Sunday morning Now these sound a little funny but the truth is we ve ail cooked a few in our time The replacement plants I have found for this scenario are cacti and sue culents The stand out in this category of hot sun and flue mating temperatures is Who More called the jade plant and more uncommonly call ed the propeller plant or the money plant common names change from here to Hillsburg This tough succulent forms a shrubby bush and if given enough sun will flower They are best know for their ability to withs temperature fluctuations full sun drafts air conditioning and in low light they will hang on to life until you see fit to give them another chance at a full sun window During active growth they res pond well to fertilizer Use at half strength to retain good jade green colour and plump leaves As they age the trunks turn grey but remain fleshy inside If given full sun their leaf margins or the edges of the leaves will turn red thus the true name California Jade If you have any questions call the Grapevine Hotline or write The Town Gardener ft 2 Erin Ont NOB Wheels transportation Alternatively the hospital may tum to Home Care a program funded by the Ministry of Health Home Care provides additional medical care to patients in their own homes including nursing physiotherapy and occupational therapy Or perhaps a patient might simply require daily telephone checks available through the Distress Centre Whatever the case the hospital reaches out to an extensive network of community related services Interwoven in her role as Discharge Planner is Eunice McGowan s training in soaal work Her experience includes nursing and physiatnc social work at a number of large hospitals in western Canada In addition she was the acting Ex ecutive Director of Help ing Hands and most recently the Director of the Home Support Program at Community Care East York Currently she is the Chairperson of the Ontario Home Support Association a member agency organization In some situations a financial or family issue might be con tributing to the development of an illness By the same token this same program could also be affecting the patient s ability to recover notes McGowan Initially we would assess the patient along with his or her family from a social work perspective Discharge Planning which would ideally begin on ad mission follows all team members assessments and subsequent treatment of the pa While the medical and social concerns may be dealt with what about the patients spiritual state of mind The resources available at Georgetown Hospital mclude the recently introduced Pastoral Care Program We have and visiting clergy available for the pa tients says McGowan Fre quently an individual might be wrestling with a problem that a minister or priest could better handle We make the necessary arrangements for a member of the clergy to meet with the pa McGowan is also quick to point out that her work at the hospital is not limited solely to patient GEORGETOWN BASEBALL ASSOCIATION REGISTRATION HOUSE LEAGUES T Ball Ages 5 6 Pee Wee Ages 12 13 Squirt Ages 9 Bantam Ages Tyke Ages 10 11 Midget Ages 1 House League T Ball be yea el age by Aug All house ages a as REP TEAMS Ball Pee Wee Midget Tyke Bantam Juvenile Register at the High School Cafeteria Sat Mar 3D 11 Mar 21 7009 00 Wed Mar 27 7 9 00 Sal 00anMOOpm NAME THE DOG CONTEST WE NEED A NAME FOR OUR DOG IT MUST HAVE A HEALTHY THEME EXCITING PRIZE FOR THE WINNER LIFESTYLES OF HALTON HILLS RICH IN RESOURCES FAMOUS FOR FUN A COMMUNITY SHOWCASE WITH EMPHASIS ON HEALTHY LIFESTYLES DON T MISS ITI SATURDAY APRIL 6TH AT G H S IFV0UROnOUPDIONOTRECErVEAREGlSTRATKNFOfiMPlEASECJLa73 EXT NAME THE DOQ CONTEST Deadline 19g7 Name of Dog Contestant Name Telephone Number DROP THIS FORM OFF AT ANY OF THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS PARKS CIVIC CENTRE HALTON HILLS LIBRARIES a Acton care but frequently includes family members too For example the needs of a terminally patient are a major concern may also be addi circumstances ding the illness which affect both the patient and bis or her family adds In such cases contact with outside community services such as Social Services or the Region s Placement Coordina tion Services may be necessary She adds further that referrals to long term counselling from a family therapist might be re quired Whatever the case treating the patient can often mean treating the family as well Our foremost priority is to help each patient successfully handle and hopefully overcome their so that they can com fortably return to the communi ty FINANCIAL Under New hip In A New location HR BLOCK Canadas Tax Team Put us to work for you TAX TALK am physically I hove the diloblllly mount for the few year a well gat tax rebate For the handicapped and of course my In 1990 I a new ob but In order to fulfill my em duties 1 hod to hire on attendant to me May I claim the cent of this attendant at a medical expense A you may but will lose entitlement to the d lability amount Intlead It may be to your advantage to deduction for attendant care by completing form T929 deduction Is limited to the least of the of the amount paid to the attendant twothirds of your earned income and By claiming the deduction for often care expenses you do not loie entitlement to the lability amount Because there are limitations Involved In bolh methods calculations should be made so that the matt beneficial claim it selected hi Computer Delia 37 MAIN ST S GEORGETOWN 8776565 Tax Planning Consul tot Ion Accounting a Bookkeeping Financial Statement Preparation GST Advice JOHN A GIBSON CHARTERED ACCOUNTANT 8770807 PUZZLED ABOUT YOUR FINANCIAL FUTURE We Can Help Make All The Pieces Fit Goebelle MacAdam Alexander Chartered Accountants THREE LOCATIONS TO YOU GEORGETOWN BRAMPTON MISSISSAUGA 37 Main S South 877 Rd Daniel Certified Accountant Personal And Business Tax Returns Accounting and Services Financial Statement Preparation Payroll Services GST Sales Tax Computerized Fast arid Accurate FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION CONCEPTS CANADA LTD Fin PI C Full Range of Financial Services Including Income Tax Return Preparation you gel alt id km and tax credit deduct km Drop off MsouiirasmiT