Metchosin targets ways to retain its aging population in the community

After hearing good things about living in retirement communities from her peers, Audrey Jenkins, rushed home to her cheque book.

Moments later the 88-year-old was looking across her idyllic Metchosin backyard, watching the birds, squirrels and twin deer.

B次元官网网址淭hen I thought, I canB次元官网网址檛 leave this place. No way,B次元官网网址� said Jenkins. B次元官网网址淚f I had to move into a (seniorsB次元官网网址�) home I would lose this world.B次元官网网址�

Since her husband passed away 18 years ago, she has lived on her own in her rural home on Metchosin Road. She is faces some mobility issues and has started using a walker, but Jenkins is right where she wants to be.

B次元官网网址淚 always said this is where I was going to end up,B次元官网网址� Jenkins said. B次元官网网址淢y community is important to me and I know my neighbours.B次元官网网址�

Over the past year, MetchosinB次元官网网址檚 active aging committee hosted workshops with seniors to understand what they need to allow them to age in place.

After consulting with dozens of seniors in Metchosin, nearly 300 barriers were identified B次元官网网址� the two biggest barriers are transportation and finding information.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 difficult to know where to look and often seniors donB次元官网网址檛 find (the Internet) user friendly,B次元官网网址� said David Richardson, a facilitator for aging-in-place workshops.

A couple weeks ago Jenkins had a ramp built at her front door to avoid maneuvering up stairs.

B次元官网网址淚 got my own paper this morning (at the end of the driveway). ItB次元官网网址檚 things like that I was beginning to feel hesitant about,B次元官网网址� said Jenkins, who has had both hips replaced and still suffers from a bad knee.

Jenkins has three sons who do repairs at her home, but without them she wouldnB次元官网网址檛 know where to go for help.

Richardson said the workshops revealed that many seniors are in the dark in terms of what health care or social programs they qualify for. To help with information and communication barriers, the committee is looking into a few options.

B次元官网网址淲e need to look at new ways to get the information to the people,B次元官网网址� Richardson said.

One concept gaining popularity in the U.S. is a B次元官网网址渧irtual village.B次元官网网址�

Seniors pay a membership fee to a non-profit group with links to various business and services, all verified as legitimate and trustworthy.

If a senior is looking for a plumber, they contact the virtual village and an employee will hire the company to do the work, often for a discounted price.

The virtual village recommends businesses with a good track record with its clients, and drop those that donB次元官网网址檛.

Another potential project is a designated phone line for seniors as a one-stop source for information on government, business and social services.

With transportation, Richardson and the committee have also been looking at alternatives for seniors.

In the rural community, many seniors are leery of using public transit due to stops being unlit and far apart. Most homes in Metchosin have long hilly driveways.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 not surprising, public transit is pretty limited here,B次元官网网址� Richardson said. B次元官网网址淭ransit is not as easy of a nut to crack.B次元官网网址�

Jenkins still has a driverB次元官网网址檚 licence, but has stopped driving and doesnB次元官网网址檛 plan to renew her licence.

B次元官网网址淚 realize with how my knee is acting up, I am not going to be driving,B次元官网网址� Jenkins said.

To get around town she depends on friends and family for rides and will use HandyDART and taxi service as well.

These options require Jenkins to, B次元官网网址渄o a lot of waiting.B次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址淚 do get out, but not as much as I would like. Now it just takes more foresight and planning.B次元官网网址�

Other ideas being looked are a ride-share program with designated pick up stops, similar to programs operating on Pender Island, or to have Metchosin approve the use of the community van to help seniors get to social functions in the district.

Richardson said the committee is also looking at the costs and logistics of purchasing a small bus or getting a designated taxi to stay within Metchosin.

B次元官网网址淚t is a common perception that when you can no longer drive you have to leave the community,B次元官网网址� Richardson said. B次元官网网址淭his encourages people to stay in the community.B次元官网网址�

reporter@goldstreamgazette.com