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Nov. 11, 2011
Panel describes a crisis
Good seniors care needs funding and advocacy.
DENA DAWSON
On the afternoon of Oct. 30, Jewish Seniors Alliance (JSA) presented a symposium on the potential crisis in health care for seniors in the province.
Held at Congregation Beth Israel, more than 100 people gathered to hear a panel of experts describe the severity of the problem. In his opening remarks, Serge Haber, JSA president, said the senior population is set to double in the next 50 years and that older adults should have the power to insist on treatment with dignity.
Dr. Rubin Feldman, chair of the JSA planning committee, introduced the panel. The speakers included Kim Carter, lawyer and B.C. ombudsperson since 2006; Moira Stilwell, radiologist and member of legislative assembly; Joanne Haramia, a social worker with Jewish Family Service Agency; Marcy Cohen, senior researcher and community health policy analyst; and Gloria Levi, gerontologist, social worker and author.
Introducing the film to be shown about hospital care, assisted living and custodial care prior to the panel discussion, Levi said that people should remember that seniors are a diverse population and encompass two generations: those aged 60-80 and those aged 80-100s. Much of what is needed to deal with seniors care should emphasize services, including transportation, socialization and even activities like gardening, she said, adding that the question is how to provide services in a seamless way.
Carter spoke following the film, pointing out that residential care options have grown in the past 25 years. However, regulation and monitoring have relaxed, and this can pose problems. As well, programs or care features that can maintain or enhance dignity and respect can’t always be measured.
The provincial government has released a report on residential care that includes a Resident’s Bill of Rights, passed in Parliament in 2009. Carter pointed out that the role of resident family councils is to help support the home aspects for residents and look at making choices. She noted that there are elements of residential care that are easier to improve and that it would not cost a great deal of money to do so.
In Stilwell’s presentation, she pointed out that, in her experience, seniors issues were high on the list of voter concerns. A heterogeneous group, some seniors are still working and are physically fit, some have access to financial resources and some do not. However, she admitted to being concerned that there was a crisis in seniors care and that a “revolving-door” situation exists for many. She considered this a political issue.
Haramia discussed home health care, which, she said, is underfunded, even though many seniors want to stay at home as long as they are able. JFSA provides home support on a sliding fee scale but more underwriting for this program is necessary, she said. Haramia encouraged attendees to remember that retirement planning should include dollars for home support and that support may also be needed from adult children. She also pointed out the importance of seniors socialization and eating meals with others.
Cohen followed up on the suggestion made in the film that people need to pay more attention to social support for seniors. She explained that there is research showing that people who have a sense of belonging have better overall health. For seniors living alone without transportation, isolation can be extreme.
Some of the problems created by a reduction in services were also discussed by the panelists. However, there was hope expressed because, in 2014, there will be new legislation at the federal and provincial levels, influenced by the ombudsperson’s report, that may change how funding is allotted to home care.
After the question-and-answer period, Levi spoke once more, summarizing some of what had been said. She noted that more dialogue is needed about nonmedical services that are part of health care and that advocates are integral to seniors care. As well, she added, preventative services are significantly cheaper to fund than having to deal with a crisis, an issue that will affect all of society. She said the provincial ombudsperson needs community support and also pointed out that the possibility of overregulation is real and that too much paperwork can be a barrier to service. What is most needed is a change of attitude, especially toward older people, she said, and seniors and their families need to have choices in care available to them.
In closing, the panel was thanked by Feldman and attendees congregated for refreshments.
Dena Dawson is a Vancouver freelance writer.
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