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PAST Newsletters>
SUNBURST 11
December 3, 2007
Presidents Remarks:
The Board of Directors has been quite busy over the summer furthering SUN’s goals & objectives. Of particular significance is that SUN has been involved in critiquing the seniors’ policies of the Liberal party of Alberta and the New Democratic Party of Alberta. On Aug 28th, 2007 SUN in conjunction with the Circle of Chairs Committee met with Bridget Pastoor, Seniors Critic for the Liberal Party of Alberta. We received a copy of the Liberal parties’ platform on seniors’ issues. Each member present was asked to identify key issues; I highlighted the issues of housing shortages, lack of home repair support and the need for income thresholds to be increased in keeping with the rising costs for housing and utilities.
On September 24, 2007 Mr. Brian Mason, Leader of the NDP was the guest speaker at the St.Albert Chapter meeting. Mr. Mason took this opportunity to announce the NDP Platform on Seniors Issues. The meeting was well attended and a lively question and answer period followed the presentation. SUN members were able to give Mr. Mason valuable feedback on his platform.
SUN is still expecting to have a meeting with the Honourable Greg Melchin, Minister of Seniors and Community Support to present our concerns on serious seniors’ issues.
The Alberta Gov’t plans to invest $30million in keeping its seniors in the communities they helped to create. Sun Commends the initiative, but we are concerned that many seniors will not be able to remain in their homes as repair & maintenance costs are skyrocketing, utilities climb steadily and incomes rise slowly if at all. We have forwarded this concern to Mr. Melchin and we will continue to bring attention to this issue.
SUN will be proceeding to recruit for an Executive Director in the New Year. We anticipate increased revenues from grants we have applied for and from the casino we are approved for in the spring of 2008.
SUN needs to continue to grow our memberships and I ask each of you to invite a friend to join SUN, by this simple act, we will double our membership. To all of our members; I thank-you for your continued support, it is a pleasure for me to represent you and to work for your best interests.
Gordon Voth president
Proposed Alberta Seniors Principal Residence Program
The Alberta Gov’t is launching a new $30million program to help low and moderate income seniors and persons with disabilities age in their communities. The Affordable Supportive Living Initiative will provide capital funding to help develop affordable, supportive living projects across Alberta. The SUN Board of Directors welcomes this initiative. We trust this is the first of many ongoing initiatives that deal with seniors’ housing. We believe it is not only time to invest dollars to enable seniors to stay in their own communities but, also to stay in their own homes and in their communities as long as possible. This could be accomplished by providing interest free loans to enable seniors to complete necessary repairs, maintenance and modifications to their homes. Such an approach would improve quality of life and relieve stress for families and the seniors who would be enabled to remain in their homes & communities with assistance. Following is an outline of a program being proposed by Seniors United Now.
Objective:
To create a stability of well being within the home and community for Alberta seniors. It is generally if not universally agreed that there is considerable benefit (including financial) to society/taxpayers to have seniors remain in their own home as long as is safely possible.
Alberta is enjoying a time of great prosperity and seniors are pleased for all who benefit. However with great prosperity comes a significant pressure on the price of goods and services. Though the increase in the cost of living affects all citizens it creates considerable additional financial stress for those living on fixed incomes. Seniors may or may not have sufficient income to meet their daily living needs. If they do today they most likely will not in the future. In addition many seniors and the number are growing; do not have the financial means to properly maintain their home. They may have equity in their home but have little or no opportunity to make use of this equity without increasing their monthly living costs and/or paying excessive borrowing costs.
Proposal:
All qualifying Albertans, aged 65 and over, have access to a loan program for the purpose of maintaining their principal titled residence.(repair, modification or replacement of existing improvements) The Alberta Heritage Fund—should be considered as the source of funds.
Qualifying
Income thresholds $56,000 single senior $80,000 senior couple
Security:
Registered caveat against the residence. Total $ value of any previous charges against the property plus the $ value of the new caveat cannot exceed 60% of the market assessed value of the property (avoid cost of appraisal). Total charges of up to 75% of the appraised value of the property would be allowed.
Homeowner must provide proof of satisfactory home insurance on an annual basis.
Interest:
If applicable, simple interest would be calculated at some preferred rate (floating or fixed @ prime less 2% Gov’t of Canada 10 year bond rate).
Repayment:
There would be no principal or interest repayment required until sale of the house.
Other:
Given the general economic benefit of seniors remaining in their own home as long as is safely possible, it would not seem unreasonable that every 12 months the total loan principal + interest be reduced (forgiven) by 5%.
SUN does not suggest that this is a comprehensive proposal. It is the outline of a program that can be developed and fleshed out so that seniors in need can benefit from the Alberta Advantage. We ask all our members to support the proposal and recommend it to your MLA.
YOU ASKED???
Why is SUN not a registered Charity?
Seniors United Now is a registered Society created to be a leading resource and advocate on seniors issues. Our mandate is to influence Gov’t policy regarding seniors’ issues and to ensure all seniors will benefit from the Alberta Advantage. As such we do not qualify as a registered Charitable Organization. Registered Charities may not use more than 10% of their resources for advocacy purposes.
We accept donations, which we use for seniors’ issue advocacy and Gov’t policy responses. While these funds are not charitable donations they are vital to our ability to respond to Gov’t policy.
SUN has established a policy of not increasing
membership fees to meet our needs. We instead look to fund raising & donations. Your generous donations are appreciated and extremely helpful.
Gordon Voth- President SUN
Transportation
Executive Summary of the Report of the Seniors Transportation
Steering Committee June 2007
The idea for a Roundtable on Seniors’ Transportation emerged during a 2006 visit by City of Edmonton Mayor Stephen Mandel to the Seniors Driving Centre of Edmonton. He listened to the concerns about transportation for its clients and those on its waiting list, noted that Edmonton has a coordinating council for seniors and suggested that the council should produce and host a roundtable. The Seniors Driving Centre’s executive director, Anna Der, a member of the board of the Edmonton Seniors Coordinating Council (ESCC), brought the suggestion to ESCC and the Roundtable became a reality on November 3, 2006.
The one-day Roundtable generated many ideas regarding transportation for seniors and 11 priority actions were identified by the 86 Roundtable participants. A steering committee was formed to take these ideas forward and put them into action. The committee has met several times since the Roundtable and their recommendations are elaborated in a report sent to Edmonton City Council
The recommendations are aimed at increasing the health and wellness of Edmonton seniors and improving our environment for aging. Transportation is very closely linked with isolation and both have an influence on whether a senior can age successfully.
The recommendations are as follows:
1. Gather existing research
2. Establish a central clearinghouse for information on seniors transportation
3. Develop a comprehensive social marketing campaign
4. Design a sustainable service model for accompanied senior driving service
5. Encourage public transportation providers to work with stakeholders to make services more responsive to the needs of seniors
6. Encourage City planners, health authorities and housing developers to work with stakeholders to create senior friendly designs
7. Conduct a Seniors Transportation Roundtable in the fall of 2007
A request for funding to continue this work has been requested from Edmonton City Council.
SUN is involved with this Edmonton based committee as the results generated may benefit senior transportation issues in all Alberta Communities.
Information submitted by Lise Storgaard. SUN representative. Steering Committee
NATIONAL SENIORS SAFETY WEEK NOV 4th – Nov 10th
Safety Tips for Seniors
Outside
All entrances should have an outdoor light. All outdoor stairs, pathways or decks should have railings and textured surfaces (traction). Front steps and walkways should be in good repair and free of clutter, snow & leaves. Doorways to any balconies or decks should have a low sill or threshold. Your mailbox should be in safe & easy reach. Your house number should be clearly visible from the street and well lit at night.
Inside
Rooms and hallways should be well lit. Throw rugs should be secured in place. Keep high traffic areas clear of obstacles. Keep lists of emergency phone numbers including your own address near all phones.
Stairs
Stairways should be well lit with light switches at the top & bottom of the stairs. Keep stairs in good repair and free of clutter. Solid handrails should be on both sides of the stairway at a height of 36” to 39”. Remove reading glasses when using the stairs.
Kitchen
Pots & Pans, canned goods and staple foods should be stored in an easy to reach location-between knee and shoulder heights. Heavy items should be stored in lower cupboards and lighter items in the higher cupboards. A stable step stool with a safety rail should be handy for reaching items in high places.
Off & On should be clearly marked on the stove dials. Use oven mitts rather than pot holders. Never cook while wearing loose fitting clothing or sleepwear.
Bedroom
There should be a light switch near the entrance to your bedroom. There should be a clear path from your bed to the bathroom. Keep a phone, light & a list of emergency phone numbers near your bed, including your address.
Bathroom
Test the water temperature before getting into the bathtub or shower. Have non-slip surfaces in the tub & shower. Keep a night light in the bathroom. Have grab bars properly placed and well anchored. If you have trouble getting up & down consider installing a raised toilet seat or bath seat.
As the old saying goes “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”
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