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Show wwmniiSE Women Bring Joy and Independence to RKY Salt Lake Families Happy by Laura Briggs "Homemaker Services is a state funded program that fills a real need for Salt Lake County families," says Jan Mahood, director of this specialized social service. 'The basic criteria for JVJW eligibility for Homemaker L From Model Neighborhood News Staff, Services is the need for personal aid in the home," continued Mrs. Mahood, "whether that need stems from physical or emotional disability of the homemaker in the respective home, inability to cope with maintaining the home, as in the case of some immigrants, or the limitations of old age. "There is no charge for Homemaking Services," reports Mrs. Mahood. "Applicants do not have to be on Public Assistance, nor do they need be residents of l-M- Model Cities staff and the Joint Board of Commissioners. Shirley Basford, Homemaker displays original painting by Vickie Lynn, left. Model Cities or any other designated areas in the county. We are here to serve whenever and wherever the need exists." Homemaker Services is located at 2835 South Main Street, in the Division of Family Services offices. Mrs. Mahood reports that the Homemaker which feature lectures and demonstrations by, experts in the social service field, in nutrition, preventive medicine and health, as well "Our Homemakers have a developed consuming interest in Homemakers, who take their skills and services into the community, into individual homes as requested. Each Homemaker spends about an hour and a half in the home, from one to five days a week, as need dictates. It is not unusual for the Ruby Marsh, center, visits with Blanche Lamb, left and Genevieve Lamb, right. Both sisters are blind, yet lead active full lifes. assist in meal preparation, cleaning and general home management," states Jan. "They are not authorized to provide nursing care, but they do tidying, endeavor to provide cheer, compassion and a sensitive, listening ear. We do stress encouraging our clients to do as much as they can for themselves. It is healthier for them to have the monitoring occupational therapy classes. Services staff includes 23 Homemaker to visit and aid four families during any given day. It is routine for her to work with ten different families throughout a week's time, according to Jan Mahood. "Homemakers instruct and as attending occupational therapy lectures at the University Medical Center, states Jan. "There is such a need for information to pass on to our clients who are disabled. A simple tip, such as wrapping a piece of foam rubber around a cooking spoon, can mean the difference between dependence or independence to an arthritic patient. Occupational therapy people instruct us about all these hints to pass on to our clients so they can to tasks and projects in their homes." "Homemaker Services has a back-ureferral service within the Divison of Family Services and to other social service agencies and resource programs in case there is need for a broader spectrum of aid to the family in re-ada- p "She's an angel," William Chealey, of says Services. 95, Shirley Basford, Homemaker question, "points out Jan. Caseworkers can be called upon, senior citizen service agencies, courage and confidence of consumer education independence as much possible, so we try to instruct and guide wherever practical, rather through the Community School program, etc. "We are in the process of than have our clients be conducting as dependent upon us to do everything. "We have a cheerful, capable a services study of Homemaking Services, reviewing our policies, the scope of our service, our methods of setting up priorities, and group of Homemakers on our staff," declares Jan, "including three ladies who speak fluent Spanish. Our staff attend weekly services even more meaningful to our Homemakers as well as to our training programs. clients," continues Jan. "Our generally formulating plans to make our Advisory Board helps to keep us abreast of the needs of the community. Our Board includes representatives from our clients, Independent Living Project, Model Cities, Homemaking Education from the Salt Lake School District, Sister Bernarda, who works with the Aged, Community Nursing Service and the medical profession. In the past month of November, we were able to assist 278 families. When say 'families,' I am talking about 457 people or 75 families with children in the home, 46 disabled persons, 8 blind people and 149 senior citizens. I ''We are kept busy responding to needs for our services," states Jan Mahood. "It wise to call at least one week ahead, though we try to be in a is position to handle emergency situations. "One has to enjoy contact with people and derive satisfaction from helping people where there is a need," Jan said. "It is demanding work and requires a wide range of skills. Our Homemakers range in age from 21 to 60, with most in their 40's, and they realize, perhaps for the first time, the value of being professional in this specialized human service field. These Homemakers, who have a lifetime of experience and resource in the most basic unit of our society, the family, are contributing to the well being of mankind in a most direct and productive way." If you would like more information on the Homemaker Service, please call extension 305. 486-181- 1, |
