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An 82 page report entitled "A Survey of Women's Health Needs In the North' was re- leased in early June by the Northwestern On- tario Women's Health Education Project (N.W.O. WHEP). In- tended as a basis for their own health educa- tion work in the region, the authors of the report recommend that other community agencies place more emphasis on education that involves community women and enhances their aware- ness of resources ayail- able to them. As a long term goal, the report recommends commun- ity-based women's health centres run on a self-help model. Based on 467 res- pondents from 14 tar- geted communities, authors of the report say that the findings are in no way definitive but indicate problem areas, women's health con- cerns and point to some possible solutions such as self-help groups. An outstanding obser- vation of the report is that northern women face many forms of iso- lation; isolation from husbands who work long hours or away from home; from extended family and friends left behind in another com- munity; from other local women who are part of a well-established group and from facilities and services, particularly medical services that they may have taken for granted elsewhere. The physical and emotion- al isolation that affects women in northern com- munities can intensity the stress that so many of the women surveyed said tht they wished to know more about. Based on the wo- men's perceived needs in their communities, the report directs a num- ber of its recommenda- tions to the agencies and professional such as Public Health Units, Family and Children's Services and the Regis- . tered Nurses Associa- tion, each of which could provide the appropriate resources to respond to the needs. For instance, when asked where health in- formation is most fre-. quently sought, the wo- men said their first choice would be a friend and the second a re- source book. Nurses ranked low and might, therefore, be consider- ed an under utilized in- formation source. A three year health promotion project, . WHEP responded to the survey observations by developing workshops on topics selected by the women. Nutrition, Stress and Menopause and Aging were the three topics delivered in the target communi- ties from October 1983 to May of this year. Be- ginning in the fall of 1984, public workshops - on Patient's Rights and Responsibilities and Breaking the Diet Habit will be held. Workshops on Childbirth, Birth Control and Pre-Men- strual Syndrome have also been developed for future community use. The report concludes tht because of the uni- que factors faced by residents of Northwest- ern Ontario such as the shortagle of medical personnel, distance to travel to specialists, separation from the sup- port of extended famili- _ es, isolation and the overall lack of informa- tion and resources in the area of health, an alter- nate plan for health care must be established in Northwestern Ontario to fill gaps in the present health care system. Pro- ject co-ordinators note The Classroom While we sat with sun streaming in, There was no need for light. For with beams to light the way There was no darkness Except in the minds of those Who sit sleeping, dreaming. Yet still others sit pondering The views thrown in the air. And others seem to have volume With their voices to break the air. Yet one strong voice controls all small whispers. Beth Fellinger that while measures are being taken to deal with medical emergencies, not enough is_ being done in the area of ef- fective health educa- tion and prevention on a community level. The report recommends that the decisions and plans for health centres be made at a community level and stress a strong self-help component among the women work- ing on health needs. The N.W.O. WHEP has chosen to focus on women because they are still very often the pri- ' mary caregiver in the home particularly in re- source-based communi- ties where there are limited employment op- portunities for women. Their personal well- being and confidence in their' knowledge of health matters will have positive effects on the entire family. Attendance as high as 56 women to the WHEP workshops, say the co- ordinators, indicates that the desire for more health information am- Terrace Bay-Schrelber News, Wednesday, June 13, 1984, page 11, Survey of Women's Health Needs released ong women in North- western Ontario is pre- valent, as is the desire to take a more active role in one's health. The target communi- ties where the women were. surveyed were: Atikokan, Dryden, Fort Frances, Geraldton, Kenora, Longlac, Mani- touwadge, Marathon, Nakina, Nipigon, Pickle Lake, Red Lake, Sioux Lookout, Terrace Bay -and rural Thunder Bay. a Copies of the survey will be made available to interested women and. will be distributed to' groups and agencies this Fall, highlighting the recommendations that pertain to each one. Prospectors - Exploration Companies: Schreiber-Terrace Bay-Marathon The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources will provide an Economic Geologist to visit, assay and advise you on the potential of any mineral occurrence you may, have staked, or' know the location of in the Schreiber-Terrace Bay-Marathon Areas. This service is provided free of charge. The Schrieber- Terrace Bay-Marathon economic! Geologist program encompasses an area from Nipigon east to Marathon. This program is funded by the Ministry of Northern Affairs. For Further Information Call (Collect): Bernie Schnieders or Allan Speed Resident Geologist's Office Ministry of Natural Resources Thunder Bay (807) 475-1331 ini Hon. Alan W. Pope Ministry of Minister VW Natural 7 John R. Sloan Resources _ Deputy Minister Ontario A NEW PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION to help Disabled and Seniors live at home. increased Why was this new program introduced? Many elderly and disabled people want to live with their families. However, in some cases, providing shelter requires extensive home renovations which result in property taxes. We must encourage-- not penalize--families for their efforts to provide shelter and supportive care. Budget Statement-May 15, 1984, The Honourable Larry Grossman, Q.C., Treasurer of Ontario. Accordingly, [am announcing today that homeowners who u: 'ke renovations or additions, specifically to keep an elderly or disabled person at home and 1n the community, will be exempt from any increase in taxable assessment that would otherwise occur. ig eC Cor (locally owned) WINDOWS & KITCHENS -- 402A Memorial Ave., 3 45-1 332 Thunder Bay (one block north of Sleeping Giant) OPEN: Mon. - Fri. 9 - 5:30, Sat. 9 - 2 "Year Around Savings" , 5 Yo off 'wood casements & awnings, vinyl sliders, picture units & entrance systems. (allow 3 weeks for delivery) Pricing Wood Windows Pricing (allow 3 weeks for delivery) Wood Patio Doors (limited stock) pos' 4 ee ee ee 591° spears ee ee Se ee Oak Kitchen Cabinets O | oO off list (allow 4 - 5 weeks for delivery) Anyone interested. in receiving a quote on Kitchen Cabinets or Windows for either New Construction or Renovation Please Call Collect to Arrange for an Appointment 1-807-345-1332 For your added convenience we will gladly travel to your location. (no charge or obligation) ee ee tte ne @ Camano Skviiaghts H D*< the program involve direct financial assistance for alterations? No. The savings are in reduced property taxes each year, not in grants or loans for alterations. Under this program, the assessed value of the improvements will not be included when your property tax is calculated, providing the improvements were made to help a disabled or senior live at home. Who can apply? Any property owner who makes improvements to accommodate people who are 65 or over and those of any age with physical or mental disabilities that would otherwise require them to live in an institution. Cz only the family of a disabled or senior person apply for this exemption? Not necessarily. For example, you may wish to make improvements to accommodate a friend in your home. Moreover, disabled or seniors can apply for the exemption directly, if they make alterations that will enable them ~ to continue living in their own homes. What about group homes? Non-profit group homes can apply, but only as long as their improved.accommodations do not exceed three residential units. Larger institutions operating multiple facilities to care for the disabled or seniors are not included in this program. Can commercial properties qualify? Yes, in some cases. For example, a family operating a retail store could apply for the exemption if they make improvements to an apartment upstairs for the accommodation of a family member or friend who would otherwise be compelled to live in an institution. hat s of home improvements qualify? Any addition, improvement or alteration specifically related to the needs of the disabled or senior resident qualifies for this new exemption. These may include such features as special bathroom modifications or additions to an existing home. (Please note: general repairs and maintenance do not increase assessment anyway). Does the exemption apply to changes underway or completed before the program was announced? Only alterations started after May 15, 1984 when the program was announced will qualify for the property tax exemption once the work has been completed. He" long will the exemption apply? The tax exemption continues as long as the senior or disabled person uses the property as their principal residence. How do you receive this new property tax exemption? The first step is to call your local Assessment Office at the number listed below. To avoid any possible disappointment, please contact us before finalizing your plans. We look forward to discussing the program in ~ greater detail. Please talk to your local Assessment Office. We're anxious to help. KENORA, RAINY RIVER, THUNDER BAY REGIONAL ASSESSMENT OFFICE 115 Johnson Avenue THUNDER BAY, Ontario P7B2V9 (807) 345-1221 Zenith 50960 'Commissioner--J.W. Stewart Government Ontario Hon. Larry Grossman, Q.C. Hon. Bud Gregory Treasurer of Ontario Minister of Revenue