What Does Prince Edward Community Care Do?

"As required by the Ontario Long-Term Care Act, eligibility for services is based upon assessed need. When applying for Community Care services people must first meet with a co-ordinator to discuss their needs."

The Prince Edward County Community Care for Seniors Association was one of 27 pilot projects called Home Support for Seniors set up in 1977, by the Ontario Ministry of Community and Social Services. Prince Edward Community Care is now partly funded by the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care through the South East Local Health Integration Network (SE LHIN). The agency is supported by the community through donations, memberships and fundraising.

MISSION STATEMENT:
To assist older people to live in a home environment in
reasonable independence.

Board of Directors

We have a strong Board of Directors who are involved as volunteers in our programs and services. Directors are drawn from most areas of our County. The majority of the Community Care Board of Directors are senior citizens. Community Care is a not-for-profit registered charity, with a Letters Patent. Community Care is a “grass roots” service organization.

Board of Directors

Rick Grant, Vice President
Ken Noble, President
Maureen Finnegan, Past President
John Jackson, Treasurer
Betty Lee, Director
Ralph Hall, Secretary
Edith Morash, Director
Manson Slik, Director

Where to Go for Help

Prince Edward Community Care has become recognized in the County as the place for older adults to go when they need assistance of any kind. If we cannot address their problem or issue with a service that we provide, then we refer them to the appropriate agency within the community.

A growing corps of volunteers assist clients to feel accepted by providing prompt, empathetic, and responsive services. The acceptance of our organization as “the place to go for help” has so increased this demand that continuing to provide these services necessitated that the agency occupy an accessible and high profile location.

Our office in The Armoury on the Main Street of Picton, in the heart of the downtown, makes us highly visible and accessible. Individual offices provide much needed privacy for clients and staff. A resource area gives seniors access to information on retirement and aging.

While we do not serve as a drop-in centre, our quarters allow for a sitting area where seniors waiting to keep appointments can be comfortably seated and others may rest briefly from the rigours of shopping or whatever. This area is a warm and inviting place for seniors to visit. Accessible washrooms are nearby. By encouraging seniors to use this facility, it is hoped that they will feel more at ease when they need any of our services.

Percentage of Seniors

Prince Edward County has a high percentage of people 65 and over, with 20% of the population aged 65+. In Picton the statistic is 26.4% aged 65+ and in Wellington it is even higher, 34.4%.

Registered Charity
We accept general and memorial donations as well as bequests. We acknowledge all donations with a receipt suitable for Income Tax purposes.

Memberships
You can support our work by becoming a member of Community Care. Various membership levels are available. Ask us for details or click here for more information.

Volunteers
The success of the programs offered by Community Care for Seniors depends on the hard work of over 600 volunteers each year. If you can help, please call us, email us, or drop into our office. Click here for more information.

Mission:
Community Care assists older adults to live in a home environment in reasonable independence.

Eligibility Criteria:

People aged 60 or over with dependencies related to: the aging process; a previous illness or injury; a sustained or periodic impairment; or a physical disability.

People who are age 18-59 may be eligible for services if:

2.1 they have a physical disability or chronic illness;
OR
2.2 they are clients of Hospice Prince Edward or Alzheimer Society of Prince Edward County (per Memorandum of Understanding);
AND
2.3 family/friends/caregivers are not available or able to provide services;
AND
2.4 there is a demonstrated need for services from Prince Edward Community Care.

Services that are provided are intended to help the client to maintain their independence in the community.

The principal full-time residence of the client should be located in Prince Edward County.

Other individuals may be accepted with the recommendation of a Co-ordinator and at the discretion of the agency Executive Director.

Eligibility for services is based upon assessed need.

^ Top of Page

What is "Community Support" ??

(sometimes called "Home Support")

Local, community-based non-profit COMMUNITY SUPPORT agencies are the essential foundation blocks of Long-term Care.

COMMUNITY SUPPORT services are flexible, personalized, responsive and least intrusive. They focus on health and wellness and are strongly centred on the person's need. They strengthen the ability of family and neighbours to support the choice to live in the community.

COMMUNITY SUPPORT, funded by the Ontario Ministry of Health & Long-Term Care, describes a range of practical support services designed to help the frail elderly and people with physical disabilities accomplish the tasks of everyday living. Paid and volunteer staff, accountable to a local board of directors, creatively deal with a wide range of non-medical needs.

COMMUNITY SUPPORT services have a strong preventive orientation.

COMMUNITY SUPPORT agencies, deliver excellent value for taxpayers dollars. In addition to provincial funding, agencies are supported by untold volunteer hours and significant community financial donations. People pay a fee for service; fees represent an important part of COMMUNITY SUPPORT budgets.

COMMUNITY SUPPORT agencies have strong accountability to a local board of directors. Agencies are vibrant, viable, and have deep roots in the community.

Community support is based on a firm philosophical foundation that values a neighbourhood-based setting from which services are delivered in a friendly, caring manner, in order to enhance self esteem and promote independence. Community support emphasizes the strengthening of family and social networks. The fundamental goal of community support is to enhance the functional abilities of the people we support, thereby enabling them to improve their quality of life.

"Community Partnerships & Integration Opportunities"

If you have suggestions or comments about this website please let us know, communitycare@on.aibn.com Your thoughts are important to us.