B.C.B次元官网网址檚 seniors advocate Isobel Mackenzie heard concerns about the cost of aging from residents at the Ladysmith Seniors Centre this week

Mackenzie spoke with Ladysmith residents about an array of issues that face seniors in the province, from health care to housing. According to Mackenzie, 38 per cent of seniors in the province essentially live on less than minimum wage.

B次元官网网址淢inimum wage went up 40 per cent in the last five years not counting the most recent increase. Pension incomes went up 14 per cent not counting the most recent increase,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淲hen you look at the [old age security pension] and the [Canada Pension Plan], your OAS maximum, which is $8,200 a year for those under 75, the average CPP is just over $800 per month, even if the maximum is around $1,500.B次元官网网址�

Glasses, hearing aids, mobility aids and caregiving are all necessary costs of aging that arenB次元官网网址檛 covered, she said.

The shelter aid for elderly renders program, which provides monthly cash payments to subsidize rents for B.C. seniors with low to moderate incomes, B次元官网网址渋n theory is a good program, but in practice it doesnB次元官网网址檛 really work,B次元官网网址� Mackenie said. The program was designed for 30 per cent of income to be spent on rent; however, there is an artificial cap on rental costs. It doesnB次元官网网址檛 matter what an applicantB次元官网网址檚 real rent is in Ladysmith, she said B次元官网网址� the program will only recognize up to around $750.

The seniors advocate also spoke on ageism and bodily autonomy for seniors.

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e very good at helping you when you agree with the help we think you need. When you have different ideas about what you want to do and how you want to do live, weB次元官网网址檙e not actually that great,B次元官网网址� said Mackenzie.

Whether living alone or in long-term care, mistakes and mishaps like falls and medication mix-ups will occur, she said.

There are a lot of issues to think about and the problems will cost a lot of money to fix, but Mackenzie said more government inaction will only make the problems worse. She said she believes there is an B次元官网网址渆xplosion waiting to happenB次元官网网址� with seniors become upset about the challenges theyB次元官网网址檙e facing.

B次元官网网址淥verwhelmingly, seniors in British Columbia live independently B次元官网网址� the number is going up,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淥n the good-news front, not only are there more seniors, weB次元官网网址檙e living longer, weB次元官网网址檙e living healthier for longer and we are living on our own more.B次元官网网址�

For those looking for more information on financial and health-care support, Mackenzie recommends calling 211 and speaking with the Office of the Seniors Advocate or contacting the Ladysmith Seniors Centre.

bailey.seymour@nanaimobulletin.com
Like us on and follow us on