The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

Help for family in care of the elderly PAGE 7 - PLA1NDEALER. - [WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY «. iWi (This article was sponsored by the Family Alliance Senior Day Care Center in Woodstock in conjunction with the Task Force on Aging for McHenry County. It was written by S.M. Reed.) Julie kept hearing the hurtful words over and over again. How could she have been so thoughtless and cruel to her own mother? While sitting at the breakfast table, Julie's memory systematically clicked through slides from the last several months of her family's life. Gradually and subtly the at­ mosphere in their home had undergone an unhappy change. The energetic and often- shared family routines had been modified when Julie's mom, a stroke victim, had come to live with them. Eventually the modifications became standard, Julie's time with her family diminished, and she began to feel an unrelievable pressure. The house was always quiet, but the quiet was rippled with tension that often erupted into harsh questions and muttered responses. There were hushed arguments between Julie and her husband, Ted. Their teenage children were quick to find events which promised several hours absence from home. Why had things changed so drastically? How could Julie feel resentment toward her aging mother and alternately guilt for her own hostility? "It has only been five short months," Julie thought, and yet problems faced during these months seemed to weigh more heavily on her than all the ^problems of her adult life. Julie's recollections were highlighted by events surrounding her mother's illness. With tears in her eyes, she remembered the alarming news of her mother's stroke, the anxious hours of waiting in the ICU, and the cautiously op­ timistic reports that her mom would recover. Partial recovery was a more accurate assessment, however, since her mom no longer had the ability to care for herself. After leaving the hospital,, she would need continued health care. Because of their feelings of responsibility and their love for Julie's mom, the family hadn't hesitated long before offering to bring her home with them. It had seemed so workable in the beginning. Adjustments to the layout of the house and the family routine were quickly made. Ted and the kids willingly pitched in, but continually deferred to Julie on matters concerning her mother's health care needs. She appreciated their support so much that she tried not to show how unsure and even afraid she was of this responsibility. It had worked in the begin­ ning. Julie felt proud for an­ ticipating her mother's every need and being able to maintain the household. But slowly this enthusiasm was tempered by daily routines and conflicts between the needs of her family and the needs of her mother. Julie thought she was being efficient by providing hospital- type care for her mother. Ted thought she was being over-protective and should allow her mother to attempt some self- care chores. He felt his wife's continual care of her mother left little time for him or their ac­ tivities as a couple. Conflicts with the kids also began to surface. She chided the kids for playing the stereo too loudly or getting too rough when horsing around with their friends. They retorted with accusations that their home had been turned into a hospital zone that left no space for normal living. In the middle of all this, tension began to grow between mother and daughter. Julie's mom was well aware of ttof family's feeling and tried to make herself as unobtrusive as possible. This seemed to frustrate all Julie's efforts and left her feeling hurt and vic­ timized. Julie was now a frazzled reflection of good intentions, and this morning she realized how much her personality had changed. Her mom, in an effort to let Julie sleep late, had at­ tempted to make breakfast. It hadn't been a bad accident, just a turned over pot of coffee, butit had completely unhinged Julie's patience. In an angry tirade, Julie had berated her mother for her lack of common sense, the danger in which she had put herself, and the mess she had made. Worst of all, in order to start cleaning things up, Julie had grabbed her mother and roughly pushed her into a chair. Now Julie sat alone with all the emotional stress of the last few months churning inside of her. No matter how hopeless the situation became she knew she could never ask her mother to go to a nursing home. But the family was equally important to Julie, and she wanted their happiness and unity restored. Not sure where to ask for help, Julie called the local Senior Citizens Council. She was told by a sympathetic listener that her family's situation was not unique. Families often feel NO TAX EXTENSION divided by what seems like an overwhelming responsibility to care for an aging family member. She was told about agencies in the community that provide support for senior citizens and their families. The Senior Day Care Center offered companionship "and activities for the elderly outside of the home, temporary health care services supplied professional care for the senior whose family would be leaving home for a short while, and homemaker assistance helped with chores in and around the care-giver's home. In addition, Julie learned that many families benefit from problem-sharing and gain support from coun­ seling. As difficult as it was for Julie to unburden herself to a stranger, it was the one action which seemed to relieve her anxiety. She realized there was no shame in asking for help; the shame was in denying that help was needed. If people provide home care for an elderly family member, they are invited to join the Task Force's informational workshop to he held March 5 from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m. at Lakeside Center in Crystal Lake and March 6 from 7:30 p.m. until 9:30 p.m. at St. Joseph's Church in Harvard. There is no charge for this workshop. For additional in­ formation call Family Alliance at 815-338-3590. general ycl ICI CM News Chemical people of county fight abuse The McHenry County Board of Health recently passed a resolution commending the many individuals and organizations that are part of the various local task forces formed in McHenry County, to combat the abuse and misuse of drugs and alcohol. These task forces were formed under the banner of the Chemical People, an organization formed in response to a Public Broad­ casting Corporation Program that initiated a nationwide campaign against chemical abuse. Dr. Santo Ruggero, president of the McHenry County Board of Health, said, "Anything that affects the health of so many citizens of McHenry is a public health problem, and the problems caused by drugs and alcohol are reaching epidemic proportions, especially among those most vulnerable, our young people. Therefore, we are happy that so many people in this county not only are becoming aware of this problem, but are trying to do something about it." "We also want them to know that not only do we appreciate what they are doing, but we stand ready to help them in any way we can." The magnitude of drug and alcohol problem may come as a surprise to many citizens of McHenry County, but the County] Board has been aware of the problem for Some time. Two and yOne-half years ago. they forr/ed a Committee on Drugs Alcohol. This committee is chaired by Ann Hughes, 'who is also the County Board representative on the McHenry County Board of Health. Mrs. Hughes said, "The Drugs and Alcohol Committee has a liaison with the various Chemical People Task Forces throughout the county, and will be happy to answer questions in regard to substance abuse, or ways to combat this abuse in the county. We will also be happy to arrange for speakers to address organizations or any group of persons interested in com­ batting chemical abuse I can be reached at 815-338-2040. ex­ tension 200. to answer questions, put people in touch with their local task force, or to arrange for speakers." Governor James R. Thompson has an­ nounced that he will not seek an extension of the temporary income tax approved by the Legislature last spring. "When this income tax increase was approved last year, it was approved on a temporary basis. And I mean for it to be a temporary tax increase," said Thompson. ECONOMIC PROGRAMS Governor James R. Thompson an­ nounced two major new programs as part of the Illinois Plan, a comprehensive state economic program to foster small business growth and development. The Small Business Development Center Program and the Business Procurement Assistance Program will provide opportunities unique to small businesses in Illinois, according to the governor. The Illinois Plan is being administered by the Department of Commerce and Community Affairs. DURING THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY, ENJOY YOUR 1 2 PIECES OF BEEF VILLA'S DELICIOUS BROASTED. CHICKEN WITH BROASTED POTATOES OR FRIES, COLE SLAW AND A ROLL! $ J 25 FOR ONLY PROM 11 AM to 2PM EVERY DAY NOW THRU EEB. isillilli mmmmm Tftftrl SEE US FOR YOUR '85 LICENSE PLATES & STICKERS laiiillliiRlR A NEH-t snoto | siicmk J GET FAST, IMMEDIATE DELIVERY OF YOUR 1985 LICENSE PLATE OR STICKER AT THE FIRST! During the next three years, all Illinois auto­ mobiles will be issued new license plates. The first character of your current plate and the month your registration sticker expires deter­ mine the year and month you will receive the new plates. Owners of non-stand- ard plates (Handicap­ ped, Motorcycle, etc.) will be issued new plates beginning in 1987. WHEN YOU WILL RECEIVE NEW LICENSE PLATES: IF YOUR PLATE BEGINS WITH A: NEW PLATES ISSUED IN: NUMBER LETTER AM LETTER N Z 1 Illinois L ' l 629 704 7 1 Illinois ( V IL 1985 m MINOIS TT US 1986 1984 1985 1986 •Check your Current Sticker for Expiration Date. •Bring your Pre-Printed License Renewal Form to the Bank. We are able to process the following applications: 1) If your application is marked "NEW PLATE", new plates will be issued. If you wish to keep the same num­ ber or purchase a randomly select­ ed number, your application can be processed at the First. 2) If your application is marked "STICKER ONLY", you will NOT be issued new plates this year. As usual your renewal sticker can be processed at the First. •A Service Charge of $2.00 will be charg­ ed in addition to the plate/sticker fee. M JTFIRS • Member FDIC FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF MCHENRY 3814 WEST ELM STREET. P O BOX 338 • McHENRY, ILLINOIS 60060 0338 815-385-5400 Get a sweet surprise for your sweetheart at Spring Hill Mall. \bur special someone deserves a little extra something this Valentine's Day. And the best place to look for it is at Spring Hill Mall. WfeU be passing out complimentary carnations on February 14th. And if your sweetheart is for away you can call him or her long distance for free. From February 6-14, Sprint telephone service will offer a 3-minute long-distance call to anywhere in the United States. So come over and find that special Valentine's gift for your special someone, at Spring Hill Mall. Spring Hill Mall Uncomplicated shopping. Apart from the crowd Route 31 and 7 2, West Dundee. Sears, Marshall Field's, Bergner's, JCPenney and more than 115 other fine shops. r