Not everyone is lucky enough to live past the age of 65, but for those who do, the wisdom they have gained and ways they most likely have contributed to society should pay off, and hopefully be respected. However, for many older folks in North America and in the qathet region, a senior's reality is full of complexity.
Seniors advocate Elisa Renick is the director of the board at Senior Citizens Association Branch 49 (Cranberry Seniors Centre) and coordinator for Powell River Community Response Network (CRN).
"I have been in the coordinator position since March 2020 and in that time, we early on identified seniors in our community struggling with food security," said Renick. "Luckily, with some acquired funding over the years, we have been able to purchase and distribute grocery gift cards and frozen meal coupons."
The Powell River CRN is one of 80 CRNs that have been set up across BC in order to educate communities on signs and risks of senior abuse, resources on housing assistance, advance care planning, mental health and ageism.
"We distribute educational resources, and we do presentations in the community called: It's Not Right; we also do presentations on ageism and introduction to extreme clutter," said Renick.
According to the BC CRN website, elder abuse can be financial, physical, sexual and psychological: "Elder abuse commonly refers to adult abuse where the target is a senior or older adult. An abuser is someone who is likely to be someone known to the abused older person like a friend, family."
It was reported previously in the Peak that, according to the 2021 census, 31.6 per cent of qathet Regional District residents are age 65 and older, with an additional 10.4 per cent between the ages of 60 and 64 years of age, totalling approximately 8,945 senior residents.
The Peak wanted to find out about what other issues seniors in the qathet community are facing and asked Renick the following.
What are some key issues facing seniors in the qathet community?
Food security
"We have all seen the amount of rising costs," said Renick. "By seeking funding and community partnerships we [Senior Citizens Association] have invested over $10,000 since 2020 into food security initiatives for seniors, such as a frozen meal program that's run out of the Cranberry Seniors Centre."
Money
"Many seniors are surviving on the Canadian Pension Plan (CPP), the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) and Old Age Security (OAS), which comes to just under $1,500 a month," said Renick. "I would think that's a good portion of our senior population [in qathet]."
Renick believes there needs to be more stable financial support for seniors in BC.
Ageism
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), "ageism refers to the stereotypes, prejudice and discrimination toward others or oneself based on age."
Although ageism is harmful at any age, in many cases, the senior population in North America experiences the brunt of it, which can,"erode solidarity between generations, impact health, longevity and well-being while also having economic consequences," according to the WHO.
"As a senior, I've experienced ageism in the workplace," said Renick. "I know other seniors have felt it when being served by young people at the grocery stores; they've told me stories."
This is where education can come in. Renick said she has given many CRN presentations, but believes they could do more to reach more demographics in the community. As for transportation and activities for seniors in qathet, Renick believes the region is doing fairly well.
"Cranberry Seniors Centre and Gerry Gray Place have many arts and community activities in place that are very good," said Renick. "I take the bus and the drivers are great, my experience is excellent."
For an online list of seniors services, including the frozen meal program available in the qathet region, go to powellriverseniors.ca/outreach.htm.
To access information about Powell River, Community Response Network, go to bccrns.ca/bccrnsnetwork/powell-river-community-response-network.
The Office of the Seniors Advocate has put out a survey for BC residents about their perceptions and experiences with ageism, particularly related to seniors. The survey is open until December 13, 2024, and can be found at seniorsadvocatebc.ca/current-issues/ageism-survey.
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