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Continuity of care, living expenses concern seniors Niomi Pearson THE CHRONICLE
Seniors in Ladysmith and their caregivers say they are concerned about continuity of care and cost of living expenses when it comes to today’s aging population. Nanaimo-Cowichan MP Jean Crowder and Nanaimo-North Cowichan MLA Doug Routley gathered with approximately 30 local residents on Friday as part of a series of non-partisan roundtables Crowder is hosting to identify and address issues and priorities that will help communities best prepare for the growing seniors population. “What we know about NanaimoCowichan is that a higher percentage of seniors live in Nanaimo-Cowichan than other parts of the province,” said Crowder. “We know there’s a whole whack more people coming through, [and] we can’t just keep doing what we’re doing. The time to start talking about what our communities should look like is not when we’re 92; it’s when we’re 60.” The information gathered at Friday’s meeting will be put toward a national strategy on aging being prepared by Irene Mathyssen, the NDP’s official opposition critic for seniors. Some of that information included calls for more affordable cost of living expenses for seniors, such as transportation, housing, bank fees and medications. “Even going to the generic brands, it’s getting to the point where seniors
Collision Repairs Need a Makeover?
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
are saying ‘I can’t afford my medication’ for things like heart problems and diabetes,” said Linda Brown, chair of the Ladysmith Seniors Advisory Council. “They end up in the hospital, so there’s no cost savings.” The Ladysmith Resources Centre Association offers a wealth of services and programs for local seniors, such as a computer club, a visitor program, peer counseling and income tax assistance. Roundtable participants suggested seniors workshops that would educate participants about what other resources are available to them, and about issues they may face, such as income splitting for pensioners. Transportation continues to be an issue for seniors in Ladysmith who need to leave town for medical appointments or who are not mobile enough to use the trolley system. Bob Mair brought up the issue of driver’s licences for seniors, which are currently regulated through the DriveABLE program. “I realize there may well be a need to test some of us,” he said. “But why am I being tested on a computer when for the last 60 years, I’ve been driving on the road in a motorized vehicle? I’ve never played a computer game in my life.” Currently, a family doctor can refer a senior to take the driving test, in which case there is no cost. However, if a senior elects to do the test on their own, there is a charge. Routley said he would like to see that policy See Roundtable Page 3
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