A Vision for Canada

In the last few months the Political Advocacy Committee of ACERCART has developed a pamphlet intended to assist its members in ensuring that all candidates seeking a seat in Canada’s Parliament, and offering to participate in formulating laws and policies, are aware of the voice of ACER-CART and its member associations, are responsive to the relevant issues, and are committed to working on behalf of Canadian seniors. What follows are the basic principles of the ACER-CART position. The pamphlet (in both official languages) will be made available through provincial Directors for personal contacts with candidates in your constituency.

Health Care in Canada ACER-CART believes that health care for Canadians should be publicly administered, publicly funded and publicly delivered, nationally universal in coverage and accessible, comprehensive and portable.

ACER-CART urges that the Parliament assembled after the next federal election initiate a new era of negotiated agreement, through a health accord endorsed by the federal, provincial and territorial governments, that would protect, transform

and strengthen Medicare, thereby providing stability and cohesiveness to the Canadian health care system.

A National Seniors Care Plan ACER-CART believes that Canadians deserve the security of a continuum of communitybased integrated services that includes a universal system of home care, home support, longterm care services, and hospice and palliative care; and that this continuum of services should be an integral part of a Canadian comprehensive health care system.

ACER-CART urges that a newly elected federal government collaborate with the provinces and territories to facilitate the establishment of a national seniors care plan that coordinates care for seniors.

A Universal Pharmacare Program ACER-CART believes that access to adequate medication is an essential component of a national health care program.

ACER-CART urges that the next federal government convene a meeting of the Ministers of Health to seek to mediate a consensus among the provinces and territories to work together and to offer a willingness to accept the authority to act on their behalf to establish a regulatory agency so that the price of generic drugs is stabilized across Canada, resulting in substantial savings to provincial and territorial governments and to patients.

Pension and Retirement Income ACER-CART believes that all employed persons deserve to contribute to a defined benefit pension plan and that the allowances be fully adjusted in accordance with the Consumer Price Index.

ACER-CART believes that all working Canadians deserve secure and reliable federal pension and retirement income programs. These are crucial also to the well-being of all provincial, territorial and federal budgets.

ACER-CART urges the next Parliament and Government to work with the provinces and territories to exercise leadership, commitment and cooperation to strengthen the economic future of all retired persons, taxpayers and citizens of Canada by ensuring comprehensive and coordinated pension and retirement income programs.

ACER-CART urges that the focus be on the enhancement of the Canada Pension Plan (CPP), a defined benefit plan providing Canadians with the greatest pension income security in retirement.

seniors’ advocacy forum

Heather Emberley

Knowledge is power and thanks to RWTA and RTAM Winnipeggers 55+ had the opportunity to be empowered by an advocacy forum held on May 13, 2015.

Thanks to the tireless work by Peggy Pendercast, Dianne Bewell, Ruth Hartnell and their committees of volunteers, the forum, in conjunction with Age Friendly Manitoba and the Manitoba Association of Seniors Centres, was a great success. Teachers have always been in the forefront of life long learning and the lessons to be learned about aging are top of the curriculum for RWTA and RTAM.

The Winnipeg Regional Health Authority has many supports for mature people of which the general public is not fully aware. Their aim is to support those 55+ to live independently as long as possible The MB government spends 2 billion dollars on those 55+ each year. We’re worth it.

Information about meal programs, tenant resources, and specialized support services can be found at: http://www.wrha.mb.ca/community/ seniors/index.php

There are 39 personal care homes in Winnipeg serving 5,700 people. Who knew!

Were you aware there are 15,000 Home Care Program clients in Winnipeg with a staff of 400 with an annual budget of $200 Million? Home Care is not mandatory: seniors are free to accept or decline. For more info: http://www.gov.mb.ca/ health/homecare

Two of the most popular web sites for mature folk are the Family Doctor Finder: www.gov. mb.ca/health/familydoctorfinder and the Health Services Directory On Line at http: www.wrha. mb.ca/healthinfo/directory/index.php

The WRHA supported 3,972 suites last year in 55+ housing blocks to facilitate independent living. Unfortunately, the reality is there are not enough personal care homes in Winnipeg to meet the growing need. The WRHA has 35 congregate meal programs that served 285,049 meals last year. Their aim is not only feed bodies but to address the growing isolation of seniors. Something many people are not aware of is the availability of short term respite care designed to give family caregivers a period of relief.

The WRHA operates Senior Resource Finders with common services such as escorted transportation, yard and home maintenance referrals, networking and educational community presentations.

Everyone 55+ should have an ERIK. The paramedics appreciate ERIK as it can help save lives. ERIK stands for Emergency Response Information Kit. It is to be posted on the fridge and contains necessary information such as doctor’s name and medications taken.

Seniors Centers and Creative Retirement Manitoba are non-for-profit organizations offering “innovative and interactive learning opportunities.” For example, decluttering is a hot topic these days and Age and Opportunity offers a service called This Full House, helping those who have become hoarders. A & O offers counselling, information and referrals and specialized services for older immigrants and provides wonderful volunteer opportunities for retired teachers.

One “elephant in the room” topic is elder abuse. It is at the other end of the roots of empathy spectrum that had a profound impact in our classrooms. Age & Opportunity and Klinic offer an Elder Abuse Hotline: 1-888-896-7183.

Growing older has both opportunities and challenges and your RWTA and RTAM will be there to support you in the life lessons of retirement.