What is S.P.A.R.?
S.P.A.R. is a French acronym for:
It is a non-profit association started in 1992
that ensures the quality of life for seniors in small, private
homes for seniors, located on the West Island.
These residences are for semi-autonomous
seniors, i.e. people needing assistance with every day living.
Why did S.P.A.R start?
SPAR came about because the
options for senior’s housing were limited to:
-
Reside in their own home
and hope to receive home care services.
-
Hospitalization and / or
wait for a placement in a government run institution.
-
Pay the high cost of a
full-scale nursing home.
-
Live in a “clandestine”
foster home.
There was
-
No “Quality Assurance” in
private homes.
-
An ever-increasing aging
population that is creating a financial burden, the public sector
is no longer capable of supporting.
-
The government shows no
sign of relenting on health care cut backs.
-
Difficult for seniors to
remain in the same community.
Why choose a S.P.A.R.
residence?
For any person having to move a
family member out of their home into a senior’s residence it is an
extremely emotional and difficult time for both the senior and the
family member.
-
S.P.A.R. Puts the needs
of the senior’s first.
-
S.P.A.R. has extremely
high standards for the quality of care and living conditions at
the residence.
-
S.P.A.R. has an open door
policy with all CLSC’s, community groups, and families.
-
S.P.A.R. has been working
with the Régie Régionale on a committee defining future needs in
senior’s housing.
-
S.P.A.R. and its
residences are recognised in the Régie Régionale publication
“Private Residences For Autonomous Seniors in Montreal-Centre”
March 2000 1st Edition.
-
S.P.A.R. has an Advisory
Board consisting of seniors, who oversee the quality of care in
our homes.
-
S.P.A.R. employs a
registered nurse to help care givers offer the most competent and
professional assistance possible and to act as liaison between
SPAR and the Health Care community.
In conclusion...
Our senior population are
responsible for most of what we enjoy and take for granted today.
They have helped build most of
the communities we live and work in. They are becoming a larger
segment in our society but their voice, like their bodies, become
weaker.
We have an obligation to secure
the best quality of life possible for them.
By working together, Families,
Corporations, Communities, Governments, and S.P.A.R., we
will accomplish these goals.
Remember…
“It is not enough to add new
years to life: Our objective must be to add new life to those
years”.
