Senior's Coalition reports on April 19th meeting

Nobody senior challenges better than seniors themselves

The Miramichi Seniors’ Coalition held its monthly meeting on April 19. Representatives from various communities throughout the Greater Miramichi came together to deal with current issues facing hundreds of senior citizens.

The meeting was conducted by co-chair John McKay, assisted by co-chair Claude Stewart and Secretary/Treasurer Florence Murray. The newly formed organization confirmed its mission statement as follows.

“THE MIRAMICHI SENIORS’ COALITION IS A COMMUNITY BASED ORGANIZATION WHOSE PURPOSE IS TO REPRESENT SENIORS OF THE GREATER MIRAMICHI, TO HELP THEM ACHIEVE AND MAINTAIN AN AFFORDABLE AND RESPECTFUL ENVIRONMENT THAT ENSURES A HAPPY AND HEALTHY QUALITY OF LIFE”.

Several committees reported, including the Committee on Income Security and Affordable Housing,which resulted in a spirited discussion among the many members present.

“Seniors are very concerned with maintaining their financial independence”,said McKay.” Keeping up with the rising cost of living is a major concern of seniors today”, he continued.

McKay told the group that nobody understands the challenges seniors face better than seniors themselves. “ This is why the thousands of senior citizens must stand together ,”said McKay”, because together our voice is strong.”

Much discussion centered around rising living costs, with a general agreement that HST THAT SENIORS PAY ON HEATING COSTS SHOULD BE ELIMINATED.

The meeting agreed that affordable housing was ESSENTIAL if seniors are to maintain their own independent lives.

The meeting was pleased that so many new apartments were under construction in the Miramichi, but that sadly the rent structure was well beyond what most seniors could pay on a modest income.

McKay said that there was overwhelming agreement among seniors that they wanted to stay in their own homes as long as possible.

He said that the pressure on nursing homes and special care homes could be reduced with programs which would allow seniors better maintain their independence at home .

The issue of the quality of nursing home care was an extensively discussed topic, with several reporting that the level of care could be improved if more staff were hired to assist the existing employees in dealing with a challenging workload.

The meeting concluded with a motion, passed unanimously, that THE GOVERNMENT APPOINT AN OMBUDSMAN WHOSE SOLE DUTY WOULD BE TO RECEIVE , INVESTIGATE AND HELP RESOLVE CONCERNS RELATED TO SENIORS CARE.

Further committee reports will be presented for consideration at the next monthly meeting of the Miramichi Seniors’ Coalition.

For further information, please call 622-4973