Seniors need an advocate!  They also need a one-stop go-to place for information and advocacy.   There are presently more than 19 government departments enforcing pieces of legislation that affect seniors.  Liz Allchin, Vice-President of Seniors United Now (SUN) says, “SUN, and other Alberta seniors advocacy groups, receive numerous phone calls from seniors trying to find their way through the maze of government.  Imagine the frustration!  Furthering the frustration is the technical language used, which to some seniors is like a foreign language.”

SUN, along with the Circle of Chairs of Seniors Advisory Groups, propose an independent Seniors’ Advocate.  A Seniors' Advocate would have two functions: 

1) Provide support and assistance to seniors who are experiencing difficulties.

2) Provide impartial information to the government with respect to the needs of the older population and where the gaps in the system exist.  “Similar to the Office of the Ombudsman, a seniors advocate would operate at arms length to the government, thereby maintaining objectivity and neutrality,” said Allchin.  “Ultimately, we envision trained seniors helping other seniors.” 

Alberta seniors would benefit from an office designed to serve them.  A Seniors' Advocate is important today and will continue to be important as Alberta’s population of seniors will have doubled by 2020.

For more information please contact:

Liz Allchin, SUN Vice-President

449-1816 SUN - Office

unitenow@telus.net

Alberta Seniors United Now or SUN as we are more commonly referred to is a non-profit, non-partisan, province wide organization. Our vision is to be a leading resource and advocate on seniors’ issue