Senior's Forum Review

The last few days have been fun, busy and very interesting. To start the last few days, The Senior’s Forum, held this past Thursday, held a glow of illumination in this corner of the world. When I received an invitation to this Forum, I was intrigued. 

Always rather surprised to include myself under the Senior identification, nevertheless, I planned to attend. It was a wise decision. The topics were wide ranging and addressed articulately and pointedly by attendees and the panel. The panel included Carole James, MLA for Victoria-Beacon Hill, Rob Fleming, MLA for Victoria-Swan Lake, Judy Darcy, MLA New Westminster and Selina Robinson, MLA for Coquitlam-Maillardville. Selina Robinson is presently the New Democrat opposition spokesperson for mental health and addictions, seniors, local government and sports. Judy Darcy is the New Democratic Opposition spokesperson for Health. Other speakers were a caregiver, both professionally and personally, as well as a paramedic sharing their on the job experiences.

After introducing themselves and their portfolios, the panel shared the microphones with the attendees asking for specific concerns experienced, as well as concerns some of us may face over time. To my surprise, the most discussed concern was regarding affordable housing for seniors. Having had cause in the past couple of years to find new housing for myself, I had had opportunity to identify this as a very real problem for myself. As incomes become lower and fixed, all housing costs, whether rental or owned, are escalating. Those of us becoming hospitalized, and unable return to our homes due to incapacity, often have nowhere to go. Fortunately I am not in that situation. Besides the lack of housing, participants have also indicated a decreased availablity and quality of care. A physician from the James Bay community shared his very real concerns about a ‘staggering degree of waste’ in our health care system. Several participants asked the very real question about the funding necessary to create and enhance programming for seniors. Other issues raised were transportation, health care accessibility and even, brief discussion regarding recent legislation for Medical Assistance in Dying.

How do I describe this packed house of senior citizens? I could talk about all the gray headed women and men. I could talk about walkers, canes and bent backs. Instead I’ll talk about the vibrant aura of active interest in life, living and willingness to challenge and communicate with our government.

“We can’t legislate a roof over someone’s head, 
but we can legislate a roof over someone’s car.”

~ Senior’s Forum participant