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Submitter expresses concerns over future for Alberta seniors

Dear Editor;

The province wants ‘boomer generation’ Albertans to complete an online survey on what they think they will need when they hit age 65.

This has been done a number of times before. In 1997 and 1998, the government implemented two major planning initiatives to prepare for the aging population. By 2002, the Broda Long Term Care Review and the government-wide Study on the Impact of the Aging Population resulted in a multitude of reports, frameworks and strategic plans to reform the continuing care system and to ensure that government policy and programs would respond to the evolving needs of seniors.

How have these policies worked? What worked, what hasn’t, what’s changed? Should we know before we develop a new framework for these public policy issues?

The Auditor General’s 2005 Report on Seniors Care and Services raised many concerns, including observations that the departments should measure, evaluate and report on the programs and whether objectives have been met, and should obtain information on future needs and develop plans to meet those needs. The 2005 MLA Taskforce on Seniors Care and Accommodations agreed that major improvements were needed. By 2008, the Auditor General reported some progress toward the latter recommendation.

The Board of Directors of the Central Alberta Council on Aging asked the David Thompson Health Region in December 2007 for inspection reports for Long Term Care facilities in our region for the year 2006/2007. We have not received any to date. The privatization of the operation of Long Term Care in Red Deer will be complete by 2009. While it will continue to be partially government funded, no additional beds will be provided. The dissolution of the David Thompson Health Region has created communication uncertainty with local health administrators, which we hope will be resolved soon. There is no representation from Central Alberta on the new Super Board, which now governs all health care issues in the province.

Our Red Deer South MLA Cal Dallas recently wrote in the press that, “as we (the Alberta Government) move to improve our health care system we need to be up front about where the challenges lie”; and “please be assured as we continue to make changes to the health system, decisions will be made in the best interest of Albertans”.

That will require a lot of trust, given past Alberta government performance. While the Klein Government attempted to privatize health care through the Third Way, the Stelmach Government has continued to privatize Senior’s accommodation and care. Only later will we discover the results of these choices, which, if they are wrong will be difficult to reverse.

Presently we continue to hear about increasing difficulties in accessing needed services, decreasing care quality, growing wait lists for all services, staffing shortages, inadequate home care services, and increasing private costs for essential care. Seniors able to stay in their own homes are facing maintenance, utilities and tax costs outpacing their pension increases, and difficulties finding home support services.

It’s certainly time for a progress check. We’ve seen a decade of major changes: in the provision of health and continuing care services; in housing and other costs of living; in the definition and distribution of wealth; in the social structures of family; in the labour market. In Alberta, the economic landscape has changed dramatically, and while that has been good news for some, the effect on those who don’t share in the economic benefits, and those who need care or assistance to survive, has been equally dramatic.

While it is always appropriate to remind and inform younger and ‘boomer’ generations about future needs and financial preparation for retirement, they will need to make sure senior’s care and accommodation is affordable, of good quality, and adequate to serve their parents and grandparents and those in the present. They should keep that in mind, while the present demographic planning commission is receiving their input.

Sam Denhaan

President, Central Alberta Council on Aging

Red Deer, Alta.