The

 

 
 

 

Tuesday, January 29, 1985

Mad Hatter

_A Douglas College Newsletter

 

NCUIVES
4

 

 

Independence can be a big problem
for someone confined to their own
home. For many people without the
capability to do their own shopping
or housework, the community must
provide the resources to help them.

At Douglas College, graduates of the
llone Support Worker program are
learning to help people make the
most out of what could easily be

a limiting situation.

The number of seniors, or people in
need of personal care at home, is
beginning to increase. The high
costs of hospital time and care
facilities are sending more people
out looking for alternatives.

And for people who do decide to
remain at home, the maintenance of
their independence is often the
largest hurdle.

"There is still a large number of

 

 

HOME SUPPORT WORKER PROGRAM

GRADUATES HELPING .
PEOPLE IN THEIR

OWN HOMES

people in hospitals and other
facilities who would rather be at
home," says Betty Emery, faculty
coordinator for the Home Support
Worker program at Douglas College.
"But with a current lack of home
support programs, many of these
people have no other choice but to
enter a facility."

Douglas College is putting a strong
emphasis on training the best Home
Support Workers in British Columbia,
Emery says.

"The old image of our graduates
being just housekeepers and sweepers
is finally beginning to fade away,"
Emery says. "The whole field is
actually changing quite rapidly."

One of these changes is the provin-
cial curriculum award which is

acknowledged at Douglas College by
a Citation award for the graduates
of the Home Support Worker program.