Your Partner in Care A Newsletter for Patients and Caregivers

AUTUMN/WINTER 2014

Welcome! You are receiving this newsletter because you are a patient of the Waterloo Wellington CCAC.

Please let us know if you have any suggestions for making the newsletter better by emailing Hannele at

hannele.kivinen@ww.ccac-ont.ca. If you have any questions, please contact your care coordinator.

Recovering from Stroke: A Journey

Allen Colquhoun was just getting discharged to discuss his home

up from an afternoon nap when care plan. They agreed that he

he noticed that the left side of his would be placed into the Stroke

body felt numb. “Both my arm Pathway program, a new LHIN-

and leg were tingling, like they wide initiative that aims to make

had gone to sleep,” says Allen, a rehabilitation easier and more

retired teacher. He didn’t worry efficient for patients.

about it too much at first, but the Three times a week, either a

numbness persisted all day. He physiotherapist or an

went to bed, hoping it would be occupational therapist visited

better in the morning; however, Allen in his home. “They would

when he woke up, the strange do little exercises with me to

sensation was still there. His wife improve my coordination,” Allen

was away at the family cottage Allen had experienced a stroke. explains. “I probably got more

on McCullough Lake, so he Luckily, the stroke was a minor attention than I really needed,

decided to call his son who lives one, and only affected his but you can’t complain about

nearby. coordination. In no time at all, that!” Although the program is

Allen was out of bed and walking “I told him it was possible that I 12 weeks long, Allen finished in

with a cane. “I was very had suffered a stroke,” says just 10 weeks. “The only thing

fortunate,” Allen admits. “I was Allen. “And he was at my house that’s left of my stroke is a little

only in the hospital for three in fifteen minutes flat!” His son tingle in my finger,” says Allen. “I

days.” took him to Guelph General just feel so grateful for all of the

Hospital, where doctors ran a His CCAC care coordinator met support I’ve received, it’s been

series of tests confirming that with Allen before he was amazing.”

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A Message from CEO Barry Monaghan

We at the Waterloo Wellington CCAC are here to help you get the care and support you need at home and in the community.

Across Ontario CCACs provide services to nearly 600,000 people every year. Yet we know that each patient is an individual, with unique challenges and strengths. Our care coordinators work in partnership with you and your caregivers to understand your situation and build on your strengths. You are a key member of your care team.

In this newsletter, you’ll share the journey of a CCAC client and his caregiver, and read about the Heroes in the Home we recognized last June. You’ll also find tips to help you stay well and care for yourself, and learn how the CCAC protects your privacy. If you have any questions about what you read here, or about your care in general, please contact your care coordinator.

Celebrat ing Heroes in the Home

“A ray of sunshine.”

“Hard-working, caring, charming and efficient.”

“A gift.” “My angel.”

“Caring, bubbly, thorough about everything.”

“A special friend.”

These are just a few of the phrases used to describe

nominees for the first-ever Waterloo Wellington

Heroes in the Home event hosted by the CCAC on

June 25th. The event celebrated spouses, parents,

children, friends, personal support workers, nurses,

therapists, care coordinators and others who care

for people at home, day in and day out.

“These heroes work quietly and with dedication,”

said outgoing CEO Gordon Milak in introducing the

event. “They don’t get a lot of attention or thanks,

but they do make a huge difference in the lives they

touch.”

During the ceremony, CCAC staff volunteers read out a brief citation explaining the personal efforts of each nominee. The nominees were presented with

unique Waterloo Wellington Heroes in the Home pins by members of the CCAC Board, as well as personalized certificates. More than 300 people were honoured.

“This is a very special evening,” said a personal

support worker who was among the honourees. “It

makes us feel that we’re doing something right. It

makes us very happy.”

Is there someone special in your life – a hero in your home? In October 2015, Heroes in the Home events will be held in Guelph and Waterloo. Watch your next newsletter for information, or check with your care coordinator. You can also visit caregiverexchange.ca.

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Barry Monaghan, CEO

ProtecProtecting Your Privacy ting Your Privacy

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To get you the right care, your CCAC care All CCAC buildings require a card key to enter.

coordinator needs to know a lot of personal All staff members must complete mandatory

information about you. In turn, she shares that orientation concerning privacy issues, and

information with other care partners, such as continue to receive regular training.

nurses, doctors and therapists that are also

Patients are involved in decision-making at all involved in your care. But you can rest assured that

times. We obtain your consent on an ongoing basis, your privacy is always protected. Here’s how:

and you have the right to refuse to have your

Information is shared with partners through information shared, if you choose to do so. “We

the Health Partner Gateway, a very secure take privacy very seriously,” says Brent Scott,

network that is controlled through multiple Privacy Officer at the WWCCAC. “Trust is absolutely

levels of password protection. imperative in health care. If our patients and their

The laptops that care coordinators bring to caregivers don’t trust us, they’re not going to share

their appointments are also fully encrypted; if information with us.”

a laptop is lost or stolen, its contents cannot

Do you have any concerns or questions about be accessed. privacy issues? Contact your care coordinator.

Winter Safety

The days are getting shorter and colder already, and the Farmer’s Almanac is calling for

another hard winter in southern Ontario. Here are some tips for staying safe and warm,

both outside and inside, this winter:

Dress properly for the weather and use layering to keep warm.

Wear bright colors or reflective material so that you can be seen easily.

Carry a cell phone when you go out.

Wear shoes or boots that are well insulated and waterproof, with thick, non-slip soles and wide, low

heels. Consider using ice-grippers, but remember that grippers must be removed when walking on

surfaces such as stone, tile and ceramic.

Consider using a cane for balance. Have it fitted to the right height for you.

Slow down and think about your next move. Spread your feet to provide a base of support. Make your

steps small and put your whole foot down with each step.

Make sure your smoke alarms are working. Don’t leave burning candles or a fire unattended.

Make sure you have a basic emergency kit at home.

Contact the CCAC if you need help with snow removal or transportation.

Be sure to make a plan for what you will do if your CCAC care provider can’t reach you because of

bad weather. Ask your care coordinator to help develop your plan.

After a Hospital Stay:

Tips for Making the Transition to Home

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Here’s some great advice from Martina Rozsa, Director of Patient Services, and Maria Fage, Manager of Patient Services.

Before you leave the hospital:

Know the name of your CCAC care coordinator. He or she will be your “go-to” person when you get home. Be aware of the care plan developed for you. Know how much activity you can do, whether there are any movements to avoid and how to compensate. Be sure you have the prescriptions you need and arrange to get them filled. Know what follow-up appointments you need and if they have been scheduled. Work with your care coordinator to make arrangements for any specialized equipment you will need. Make arrangements to get home from the hospital. Think about what help you may need with cooking, shopping and housekeeping, and talk to your care

coordinator about community organizations that provide these services.

At home:

Do as much as you can for yourself within your restrictions. Eat healthy meals regularly. Take your medication as prescribed. Take only the medications prescribed in hospital. Return all unused

medication to the pharmacy. Use your mobility aid if you have one. Ask your family members to set up your home environment so that you can help yourself. Let them

know what they can do to help, and what you can do for yourself.

If you’re concerned about your condition:

Call your family doctor immediately. If there’s a CCAC care provider in the house, let him or her know.

Support for Caregivers

Are you looking after a loved one at home? If so, you’re one of more than 8 million Canadians doing this very important job. Caregiving is deeply satisfying, but it can also be challenging. At times you may feel tired, isolated, and unsure of where to turn for help.

Caregiver Exchange is a new website that connects you to caregiving information and services. There’s a blog with weekly posts, a newsfeed, and a quick and easy search to find services in your community. Visit www.caregiverexchange.ca to learn more.

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