T.I.P.S. available on community resources
Featured recently on a local TV program in York Region, Sayewich and Reesa Soto explained how volunteer-run T.I.P.S. provides information at free health fairs and forums held at hospitals, seniors centres and even large corporations where, for example, employees may be the decision makers for aging family members. “We raise awareness of community resources for seniors,” Sayewich says, describing T.I.P.S. as a “networking group representing organizations providing health-care services and support.” “Our vision is to foster communication and information-sharing between multiservice professionals drawn from the private and public sectors, to enhance services provided to seniors and their families and awareness of the services that are available in the community,” Sayewich says. T.I.P.S. launched five years ago with approximately 15 member organizations. That number has grown to more than 100 members, with the North York-based organization establishing a second chapter in North York in 2010. This T.I.P.S. chapter includes Preferred Health Care Services as they provide services in that area as well, Sayewich says. Other members range from the Community Care Access Centre and Alzheimer Society to police and retirement homes. Preferred Health Care Services and Leisureworld homes participate in the fairs and forums, which number from one to three a month from January to June. These events can attract anywhere from 100 to 400 attendees. Seniors, families of patients seeking information before their loved one is discharged, as well as staff, for example, may visit a hospital fair. “We all work together as a team,” Sayewich says, noting referrals are made between T.I.P.S. members so people find the support and services they’re looking for. With the population aging and the Aging At Home strategy in place, the need to resource information is growing. “It’s always in a crisis mode that people are looking or researching for something but what we do is we heighten the awareness before you get in that situation,” says Sayewich, who’s entering her third year as T.I.P.S. chair. At the fairs, she says, “you’re able to get a lot of information from a lot of different resources at one location. In addition to this one-stop shopping, people also welcome the opportunity to meet face-to-face with representatives to get their questions answered. Anyone wanting information on T.I.P.S. can send an e-mail to tipsnorthyork(at)gmail.com or debra.sayewich(at)prefhealthcare.com. If you have feedback on this article, please contact the newsroom at 800-294-0051 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 800-294-0051 end_of_the_skype_highlighting, ext. 25, or e-mail lisa(at)axiomnews.ca.
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