WHITBY FREE PRESS' WEDNESDAy, DECEMBER 12' 1979' PAGE 15 Retarded get»psychiatrie.help ini new WPH program By MICHAEL KNELL Free Press Staff A new facillty has been established, at the Witby Psychiatrie Hospital to treat the psychiatrie problems of the mentally retarded. Called the Psychiatrie Retardation Evalution Module (P.R.E.M.) Unit, it's purpose according to Dr. Neil Maharaj, it's head, is to look at retardation from a psychiatrie, medical and social point with the final resuit of the patient being able to make a '"re-entry back into the community."1 The unit bas 27 patients, and although in operation for three montbs, was of- ficially opened last week. A spokesman for the facility said that "the P.R.E.M. Unit was established at Whitby Psychiatric Hospital to help mentally retarded people needing psychiatrie care. " Maharaj said that the patients are referred to the unit fromn a variety of social agencies including hospitals, doctors, the cour- ts, community agencies and other retardation facilities. The program lasts 90 days and includes assessment, treatment and a number of therapy programs including industrial, occupational and recreational. The programn is aimed towards 1"total, global rehabilitation," Maharaj said. "Each program is tailor made for patients,"1 Maharaj said. Upon entering the prOgramn that patient is ass 'essed according to his in- dividual needs and then is medically examined, and thoroughly interviewed by psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers and other professionals, according to Maharaj. The staff will then set up the appropriate program, he said. The programn may include different forms of therapy' such as industrial therapy where the patient is exposed to a simulated working en- vironment and attempts are made at developing elemen- tary skills such as following directions, punctuality, at- tention span and co-worker and supervisory interaction. During this programn the patient is paid an incentive allowance on a weekly basis. .Occupational therapy is used to prepare the patient for diseharge to future, 'placements. There is another program designed to help patients learn necessary social skills About suffering wilth M.uS. CONT'D FROM PG. 14 derstand. They are scared because tbis type of patient is different, flot the so called norm. The trembling bands, the head that may not be too steady; people, outsiders sometimes have a bard time accepting this. They do need to love and be loved; to bold someone's hand for comfort and solace. 80 once again we come to the old question, "wbat can be done? " As Rancy says he doesn't believe anytbing any more; he just waits. I don't believe these two Young poeple should be where they are, one in a general hospital and one in a nursing home. What are the alternatives? Why not add a wing on to a bospital or a nursing home? There seem to be quite a few M.S. people in Durham but not s0 many that they couldn't be housed in this type of place. Cost, oh yes, always but affordable. Millions a re spent on other things and millions sent far and wide across the seas; this is as it should be but too cbarity starts at home in this case "here". To add a wing would be a lot cheaper than building a whole new building. A separate kitchen with well trained personal to plan appealing, eye catching, nutritious meals. Good food, well planned and tastefully prepared would at least brighten their days and nourish their bodies. Nursing care is required, supportcare in some cases but many of them might be able to help themselves to a degree which would be therapeutic. A lifetinie and sometimes that's what it amounts to in a bed and a wheelchair? Often a feeling of total despair and a terrible depression. What can be done to help? such as cooking, housekeeping, personal 'hygiene and community orientation. Maharaj said that these People need help to form a lot of things most people take for granted such as sleepong patterns, bathing and other personal things. "They can't function in- dependantly, they need supervision," Maharaj said stressing that tbey are capable of performing sim- ple, industrial tasks. "They can work on a fac- tory basis if given super- vision," he said. At the end of the 90 day program, the patient is discharged back to the referring 'agency altbough the P.R.E.M. Unit's in- volvement is not over. After discharge, Maharaj said that these people needing more help will return to the unit on an out- patient basis. DIAL -N -INSPIRATION Dial 668-1331 and hear a three minute inspirational message by Pastor immo Oltmanni of the Emmanuelchurch at 401 Rossland RoadW. in Whitby. an out-patient, who although institutionalized for mnost of bis life, now lives in a group home and commutes every day from Bowmanville., Maharaj said that they are capable'of living alone and TOWN OF WH ITBY' HOLIDAY GARBAGE COLLECTION., During the Holiday Season, the normai garbage collection routine wiil be changed to the followlng: For th. Week of Decombor 24 - December 28 Monday - December 24) Tuesday - D ecember 25) Wednesday - December 26) Thursday - December 27) Friday - Decemb'er 28 Garbage for these days to be put out on THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27TH BY' 7:00 A.M. Garbage to be put out on FRI DAN', Because of the volume of garbage and possible adverse weather conditions it may flot be possible to pick up ail the garbage on December 27 & 28. If this situation arises, garbage will also be collected on Saturday, December 29 and homeowners are requested to leave out thelr garbage. For the Wesk of December 31 - January 4 Monday - December 31) Tuesday -January 1 ) Vecnesday - January 2) Thursday- January 3 Friday - January 4 N M Garbage for these days to be put out on WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2N0 BY 7:00 A.M. To be put out on THURSIÂAY, JANUARY 3RD BN' 7:00 A.M. To be put out on FRIDAN', JANUARY 4TH BN' 7:00 A.M. Our co-operation and patience during this Holiday Season will be most appreciated. Corporation of the Town 0f Whitby. m