Seniors advocate visits P.G.

Isobel Mackenzie, Canada's first seniors advocate and only a few weeks into the job, was at the town hall meeting at the Elder Citizens Recreation Centre Wednesday afternoon to field concerns from the 100 or so seniors in the room.

Common themes were adequate support for those seniors who wished to remain at home, adequate number of facilities for those not able to stay in their own homes any longer, and a bit of an unexpected issue that came up very clearly was care for the caregiver of an aging senior.

One woman came up to the front of the room and talked about how she is feeling the burden grow heavier after caring for her husband who has had Alzheimer's disease for the last 12 years.

Mackenzie said there have been reports on caregiver burden but there is no set policy in place as yet.

"Certainly in Prince George I have heard a desire to take a look at settings for dementia care, where there's enough units for people with dementia," said Mackenzie.

Housing is also a concern.

"In the Lower Mainland it's about affordability and in Prince George it's there's no apartments to rent," said Mackenzie, who has visited communities throughout the Lower Mainland and is heading to Williams Lake, Terrace and Prince Rupert next.

The profound desire for independence and lack of knowledge about where to go with concerns is a common theme for seniors all over the province, she added. Seniors are also concerned about ageism.

"It's not just about independence," said Mackenzie. "I hear 'I don't need any help, I can help.'"

Seniors want to be acknowledged for the contributions they still make to society and to make sure people understand they're not a drain on society, she added.

"We're very excited to have a seniors advocate and she seems very qualified and well spoken," said Lorna Dittmar, chair of the Prince George Council of Seniors advocacy committee, who attended the meeting.

The seniors advocate, who started March 31, monitors seniors services, works with seniors, their families, policy makers and service providers to address issues and Dittmar is concerned Mackenzie can only offer advice to government on ways to help the increasing number of seniors living in B.C.

Dittmar said she believes time is of the essence and action needs to be taken sooner rather than later.