Recently, the Waterloo Wellington local Health Integration Network made a decision to discontinue funding to an Aging at Home initiative of the Guelph Wellington Seniors Association.
The program, which provided senior peer advocacy, system navigation, and support, is entitled Make Yourself at Home. It will continue to operate.
Officials have told its members the Waterloo-Wellington Local Health Integration Network has decided to implement a system wide referral program for Community Support Services. Since the peer advocate program under the Make Yourself at Home program has been perceived as duplication of the new service, the network has decided not to renew the funding of the local program, but instead, has agreed to provide the seniors’ association with transitional funding as a health service provider.
That funding will be used to reposition the delivery of association health promotion services in the care system. In order to start that process certain staff changes have been made. Maryanne Wilford becomes the full time manager of the association’s Health Promotion Services, Pat Gage becomes the part time administrative assistant to Wilford.
No changes have been made in the part time positions that include Margaret Iutzi as program coordinator Feeling Better – Move Well; Holly Reimer as program coordinator Feeling Better – Eat Well, Sharon Ricker as program coordinator outreach .
They and many volunteers are responsible for the delivery of the health promotion services to over 700 clients.
People can learn more by picking up a brochure at the information desk of the Evergreen seniors community centre or visit www.gwsa-guelph.ca.
