Other issues will no doubt be raised, but a number of hot ones are ready for BC’s new seniors’ advocate when she arrives for a town-hall style meeting in Castlegar this Friday.
Isobel Mackenzie was named as Canada’s first ‘Seniors Advocate’ back in March and the tour which includes the Castlegar stop is among her first series of official duties.
She’ll hear some well-prepared points of concern from local seniors during the session at the Community Complex, among them: changes in drivers license renewal criteria.
The Office of the Seniors Advocate – as outlined in the government press release making the official announcement of Mackenzie’s appointment – “will monitor seniors’ services, promote awareness and work collaboratively with seniors, families, policymakers, service providers and others to identify solutions to systemic issues and make recommendations to government on ways to improve care for our aging population.”
Longtime local seniors advocate Sandy McCreight is among the many who will watch with interest what comes of the June 20 information exchange, although she was not involved in arranging the public event.
She recalled being among those contributing to the process of creating the advocate’s position.
“We added our input to decide what they should and shouldn’t do, and what that office should look like,” stated McCreight in deferring further questions to the local seniors association closely involved. Mac Gregory heads the group and was keen on hosting the town hall as soon as he heard about the possibility.
“I don’t know what the process was but they selected a number of sights around the province,” he related on June 16. “I got a call asking if we’d host one of the meetings… I jumped at the chance.”
Gregory and his associates then sent invitations to all the regional seniors’ groups as well as the MLA’s office.
“Hopefully we’ll get a great turnout,” he said.
Gregory outlined some of the major concerns he expects to be brought up with the advocate.
“A main issue for us locally that would relate to the provincial government is the non-renewal of the health accord and the effects that could possibly have on seniors,” said Gregory.
“And, although it’s federal, we’re really upset with the upcoming cutbacks to postal service.
“They’ll put a lot of seniors out on the streets in the winter, even if they are handicapped.” It’s the hope of Gregory and his contemporaries that Isobel Mackenzie may be able to relay some of those postal concerns through the appropriate federal channels.
Among the most pressing of seniors’ issues is the one that comes up when a driver’s licence is up for renewal.
“When a person reaches the age of 80 a doctor can refer them for a cognitive ability test,” explained Gregory. “In the mind of many of us the test doesn’t have much to do with driving.” Gregory concedes that it can spot cognitive disabilities, but asserts it also “leaves a lot of leeway for doctors.” He added that some folks he knows were given the test while hospitalized for other reasons… not exactly at their best for taking a test that many consider rather intimidating in the first place.
Local seniors may find an empathetic ear with the new advocate who brings 18 years of related experience to her new post.
“I am honoured to accept this important position,” Mackenzie is quoted from the official press release and introduction this past March, “and look forward to applying my experience as I set priorities and establish my mandate in the coming weeks and months.”
The town hall meeting gets underway this Friday, 10 a.m. at the Castlegar Community Complex.