Seniors
Squamish’s 4,000+ seniors deserve a stronger voice at the table, better housing options, and a community that supports them at every stage of life.
Seniors
Squamish’s 4,000+ seniors deserve a stronger voice at the table, better housing options, and a community that supports them at every stage of life.
A Seniors Advisory Council
There are over 4,000 seniors living in Squamish. Unfortunately, Council has continuously disregarded the fact that seniors' issues, while broadly the same as the community's, are more complex. A number of seniors have asked Council to create a Seniors Advisory Council as they did for the youth. One of these is a retired, highly respected geriatrician who moved here about 10 years ago from Ontario. If we had that Advisory Council our issues and angst would not grow to the extent it has today. Seniors have needs specific to their age group. Last year the District of Squamish endorsed the Age Friendly Community Plan, created by District staff, a grant, and a number of Squamish residents. Council needs to read that document then see that it is implemented.
Long-Term Care: A Crisis Council Must Own
Our publicly subsidized Long-Term Care (LTC) facility, Hilltop House, is currently at capacity with 86 residents and a two-year waiting list. Our hospital has only 20 acute care beds, and for at least the past two years, 10 to 14 of those beds are occupied by seniors who are not sick — they need LTC. Seniors waiting for LTC are taking up beds meant for sick people. Those not accommodated are sent to LTC facilities in West or North Vancouver — over 100 km from family and friends who can no longer drive that distance for a short visit. Last fall the Province announced a new 152-bed LTC facility; this spring they pulled the funding. Our Mayor and Council need to go to Victoria and lobby long and hard. Council has gained ministerial support for more than one project for other demographics — it is time they worked as hard for the seniors who built this town and pay property taxes.
Assisted Living: We Need More, Now
Shannon Falls — our only Assisted Living facility — has just 75 units for a population of 50,000, with only 20 publicly subsidized. The waiting list is over two years. Our senior population is growing rapidly: our predominantly young population of a decade ago now have children who need daycare, and grandparents have been moving here from all over Canada to help — and they are aging here. The Province has not announced any intent to partner with the private sector to build more. Our Economic Development Officer should be directed to seek both private (ie. Amica/Chartwell), and provincial (BC Housing) partnerships to serve both high and low income residents. District staff and the Planning Department must be directed to consider seniors' housing needs and require new developments to contribute to this cause in either land or financial aid.
The Right Kind of Housing
Council and staff seem to think seniors should all be happy to live in apartment buildings — but condos are not the answer. Many seniors will not rely on elevators; when they break down, residents with mobility issues are trapped. Seniors want to be close to a commercial area like Downtown or Garibaldi Village where they can walk to shop and access services. They want ground-level, wheelchair-accessible housing with a small grassed area and a patio, with no building maintenance burden. Strata developments and co-ops work well. Eagle Grove is an excellent example — a public-private partnership between the District of Squamish, the Province, and Britco, initiated by a committee of seniors needing to downsize. It is an excellent model to duplicate.
Safe Sidewalks and Accessible Parking
Our sidewalks need more maintenance. Key is snow removal from all downtown sidewalks — it is not consistent, particularly on Cleveland and 2nd Avenues. Clear those sidewalks before the trails! In the fall, remove the leaves as they are slippery too. Uneven pavement and cracks need addressing. On parking: most seniors over 75 have some mobility issues. There need to be two or three senior-designated parking stalls near all medical clinics and the post office. The District must not take away any more parking stalls in close proximity to seniors' facilities and seniors' housing — particularly not to put in bike lanes.
Communication and Inclusion
Council may be surprised to find that many in our community do not use social media, read newspapers online, or manage their mail digitally. They may have a smartphone but use it only as a landline — no messaging or googling. They do not have tablets or computers. Other than tax notices, utility bills, and pet licences, the District only uses online messaging to keep the public informed. The District needs to research other ways to reach seniors without technology. Better use could be made of bulletin boards in places like the library, grocery stores, and doctors' offices. As well, work with the 55+ group to offer weekly sessions teaching seniors how to use these tools. Placing a few desktop computers at Westwinds and the 55+ Centre would also be worthwhile.