SUN responds to MLA Task Force

SUN added its support to the presentations made by numerous other organizations and individuals regarding Continuing Care Health Service and Accommodation Standards.

In presenting its written response to the Task Force, SUN Executive Director – Ron Ellis stated:

“Given the extreme importance of Continuing Care Health Service and Accommodation Standards (present and future) SUN has done its best to meet, discuss and accumulate input from its members and others. The specifics of these efforts are contained in our 18 page written response to this Task Force. Today, our brief verbal presentation will speak to what many have advised as key broad scope issues.

To be of value, the exchange of ideals must be heartfelt and forthright, and presented with no fear of persecution or reprisal. The ideals must be constructive, contrarian as necessary and be offered in a spirit of cooperation and common courtesy.

SUN commends the undertaking of the recent Auditor Generals report. We note that this report served to confirm what many have been saying for a considerable time. Indeed, there is commonly held disappointment and in some cases angry disbelief that it has taken so long to acknowledge and act on this issue.

We commend the undertaking of this Task Force and are appreciative of the opportunity given to SUN and other interested parties to participate. However, we would be less than forthright if we did not express our disappointment in the timing and the time frame.

SUN members and others continually provide input on this and many other issues. Concerns are sometimes expressed as an apology, sometimes in anger and frequently shout out the individuals feelings of hopelessness. However, the most appalling of situations is when a commonly known truth is little or reluctantly spoken of because of fear. How can any corrective process be successful if the major stakeholders are fearful of persecution or reprisals?

It seems that as a society we have become so busy that on occasion we become oblivious to real life. Today we are inundated with and apparently embrace televised reality programs. Yet, it seems that on occasion we become oblivious to the real life circumstances within our own community. What could be more real than the deplorable circumstances that are being inflicted on far too many of our vulnerable seniors who require supportive or continuing care?

As a society, it would seem wise to be aware of the following realities:

- Many if not most families in Alberta have a loved one who requires some form of supportive or continuing care.

- If you are not one of those families today, you most likely will be tomorrow.

- Many if not most of us will require some form of supportive or continuing care in the future.

In closing, Senior United Now would like to state that all considerations of the public good must begin with, be guided by and be responsible to, the individual, the family and the greater community that they represent. All considerations of the public good must include a certainty of standards and monitoring, and provide confidence that compliance will be enforced.”

The vision of SUN is to be a leading resource and advocate on seniors’ issues. SUN invites you to visit our web site www.seniorsunitednow.ca or to contact our office directly at 780 449 1816 – EMAIL unitenow@telus.net.