Education Seminar Review: Coping
with the Aging Resident
By Avrom Charach, Education Chair, Kay Four
Properties
What do you do with a resident who likely should not be living independently? How do you deal with the changing needs of your residents as they age? These questions were answered at the PPMA’s most recent educational seminar held on Wednesday November 21, 2001.
Dealing with seniors is extremely important given the aging demographic in our province. We were fortunate to have Gerri Hewitt, the Executive Director of the Manitoba Society of Seniors as our presenter.
Ms. Hewitt shared her experience with us and provided insight into ways of making properties more senior friendly. Ideas included replacing door-knobs with handles and ensuring that correspondence is typed in 14pt or larger fonts. A short, comical video provided insight into the needs and abilities of seniors.
Ms. Hewitt shared methods of coping with problems that arise when residents appear to be in failing physical or mental health. Sometimes there is no next of kin to contact and sometimes the family or friends deny that there is a problem for any variety of reasons.
Some discussion ensued about difficulties in dealing with the system and with families; participants also shared some ideas for helping to catch problems early. Along with ideas for cooperative programs and obtaining important information, we also learned that the Winnipeg Police Service acts as an entry point to seniors services when you believe that a senior needs help. They can be called even in non-emergencies when you believe that a tenant is a risk to themselves, other persons or the property.
This seminar had more than a dozen participants. Participants gave positive reviews although some participants wanted to discuss other issues. We have their comments and will attempt to incorporate their requests into an upcoming seminar.
Our January seminar will discuss what to do when residents fall behind in their rent. We will have two presenters; one will look at methods for catching up on back rent and one will review the proper method for termination of tenancy and the filing of claims for tenants with outstanding rent charges.
Please contact Tonya Moreton, Executive Director at the PPMA office or Avrom Charach, Chair of the PPMA Education Committee at 339-0461 if you want to share ideas for future seminars.
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Please contact Tonya Moreton, Executive Director at the PPMA office or Avrom Charach, Chair of the PPMA Education Committee at 339-0461 with your seminar ideas.