More medals won at Canada Games
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Thursday August 22, 2013
Serving Surrey and North Delta www.surreyleader.com
Fraser Health centralizes resources and referral services
Man charged in deadly hitand-run
Help for seniors one call away
31-year-old has history of driving convictions
by Diane Strandberg
by Kevin Diakiw
FRASER HEALTH has made it easier for families to find ser-
vices to help seniors stay independent and in their homes longer. Information about resources and referral services has been centralized and people can now call 1-855-412-2121 daily from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. to speak with trained multi-lingual staff. Carl Meadows, director of clinical programs for home health, said callers can find out about support services or arranging for a clinic or home visit for further assessment. Some of the supports that can be provided are help with home support (bathing/grooming/toileting/feeding); in-home health care; nursing clinics in all communities; day programs for seniors; services to give caregivers a break. Having only one number to call improves and streamlines client support, said Meadows. Q 1-855-412-2121 “Our philosophy is home is best, ” Meadows said, noting Q Daily from 8:30 that people can get help devela.m. to 4:30 p.m. oping a plan so elderly people can stay independent longer, even after a hospital stay, or when they are having difficulties looking after themselves. The new centralized system has also been integrated with B.C.’s acute care hospitals so people can return home more easily with appropriate nursing and other supports. But Meadows advises people not to wait for a health emergency to plan for assistance for their loved one. “We don’t want them to wait until their mother has fallen. Humans are like this, particularly around caregiver burnout. Families will adjust and move their lives around incredibly, and then they’re on the burning-out platform. Humans don’t do a lot of pre-planning.”
POLICE HAVE charged a man in rela-
tion to an alleged hit-and-run death on the weekend. Police have arrested 31-year-old Christopher Lennox Edgar Griffith. He has been charged with criminal negligence causing death, and driving while prohibited. He has been remanded into custody. Just after midnight on Saturday (Aug. 17), Mounties were called to a parking lot near the Royal Canadian Legion at 106 Avenue and 135A Street. They found Robert Paterson, 40, who had been hit by a car, suffering from life-threatening injuries. He died en route to the hospital. “Evidence retrieved thus far by IHIT (Integrated Homicide Jennifer Pound Investigation Team) supports the theory that this was a deliberate act on the part of the driver,” said IHIT’s Sgt. Jennifer Pound. Griffith appeared in Surrey Provincial Court on Tuesday. Court documents show Griffith has a history of driving convictions, including driving while impaired (2005 and 2010), and driving while under suspension (2012).
Fraser Health line for seniors’ care:
See PHONE SERVICE / Page 4
BOAZ JOSEPH / THE LEADER
A glean sweep at God’s Little Acre New Westminster’s Tara Matthews – escorted by her dog Daisuki – was one of more than 500 volunteers who came to harvest thousands of pounds of squash and other produce at God’s Little Acre farm in South Surrey on Aug. 17. See full story on page 3. Video at surrreyleader.com
kdiakiw@surreyleader.com
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