FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE     

DATE: March 1, 2006    Release #4.20

Sherwood Park, Alberta:     

Governments Commitment to Seniors Questioned

Forgive us if we do not understand says Ron Ellis of Seniors United Now.  For years, an ever increasing number of residents, their families, staff and other concerned individuals have spoken out to raise awareness of the significant and sometimes appalling short falls in the provinces supportive and continuing care programs.  In early 2005 this accumulated and increasing voice of concern apparently reached sufficient mass to attract the attention of government.  Our hopes for long over due action were raised when both the Auditor General and MLA Task Force not only confirmed our concerns but indicated a sense of urgency for action.  Two government MLAs participating in the Task Force spoke of the “Horror Stories” they had heard regarding long term care.  It was acknowledged that there was much to do and that a priority was to establish a certainty of standards and monitoring and a confidence that compliance would be enforced.  A time line of six months was established.  In September the years of neglect are yet again acknowledged and the government admits it needs to spend another $250 million more each year to improve conditions in long term care facilities.

 So here we are, years after the alarm bell was first rung and nine months after the governments acknowledgment of the urgency of the problem.  Beyond all comprehension there are still no established standards, monitoring or compliance enforcement.  Though the need for $250 million more each year of additional spending has been acknowledged the Alberta Government announces it will spend $36 million more.

 Forgive us if we do not understand.  Forgive us if we question the governments’ commitment to this “urgent” problem.  Forgive us if our cynicism continues.

 Seniors United Now is a non-partisan, provincial organization that raises awareness of issues related to seniors in Alberta.

For further information, please contact:

Ron Ellis, Executive Director  

Seniors United Now

Tel: 780.449.1816

Fax: 780.449.1475

Email: unitenow@telus.net