While the recent announcement that the suspension on admissions at Rainycrest Home for the Aged has been lifted is welcome news to many, the five vacant beds at the facility offer little comfort to the other 47 people on the 52-name waiting list.
Some families in the district have loved ones waiting in hospital for placement in Rainycrest, other families are struggling with caring for loved ones at home, and are looking for a break.
Community service providers are feeling the strain.
District Mental Health Services for Older Adults offers psychogeriatric services throughout the Kenora and Rainy River district.
The program, run by the Canadian Mental Health Association, assists adults 60 years of age or older suffering from illnesses such as dementia, Alzheimer’s, depression, and anxiety.
Here in Fort Frances, the program is seeing a marked increase in requests for their services, particularly the Caregiver Support Program, since the suspension on admissions at Rainycrest in April.
Before the suspension, Rainycrest offered an overnight respite program, which gave caregivers a break from looking after a loved one who requires 24-hour care.
District Mental Health Services for Older Adults also offers a respite program for caregivers, up to four hours a week.
“We assist them to continue being an active part of the community,” said Sandy Skirten, district co-ordinator.
A worker comes and, depending on the older adult’s physical health, will take him or her out, or do an activity at home.
“Swimming, walks, cooking, attending teas, quilt work. We try to keep them active,” Skirten said.
The service provides the caregiver with “a needed planned break,” he said.
With the overnight respite program at Rainycrest on hold these last few months, the demand for the four-hour respite has spiked in recent months.
When the program started in July, there were three participants. “That number has risen to over 40 individuals,” Skirten said.
“We certainly have seen the effect on caregivers as well as on staff throughout our programs,” he added.
Gerri Yerxa is a geriatric mental health therapist with the program. She provides supportive counselling to caregivers.
“The stress level of caregivers is increasing because breaks are minimal,” she said. “People are requiring more support.”
Usually, Yerxa speaks with caregivers in their homes because it can be difficult to arrange an outing when looking after an older adult with a mental illness.
“They talk about feeling quite helpless,” Yerxa said. “We try to deal with their stress levels, their anxieties, and in some cases, their depression.”
To help alleviate some of the stress, Yerxa and Skirten are organizing a caregivers support group.
“It’ll provide an opportunity for caregivers to come out and meet in an informal setting. They can talk about their experiences and frustrations, and make suggestions,” Yerxa said.
She added that caregivers could bring their loved ones with them to the meetings.
“We’re trying to provide an activity for the older adults as well,” she noted.
If you are a caregiver and would like to join the support group, contact Gerri Yerxa or Sandy Skirten at 274-2347.
For information on the Caregiver Support Program, call 274-9400.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
