Dear Editor,
It was the late-American politician Hubert H. Humphrey who was once said that “the moral test of government is how government treats those who are in the dawn of life, the children; those who are in the twilight of life, the elderly; and those who are in the shadows of life, the sick, the needy and the handicapped.” This is somewhat ironic as current American politics and many of its politicians currently rate rather low on the moral scale and they appear to care more about being elected than serving the people who will elect them. Unfortunately, current politics in British Columbia is, seemingly, moving in a similar direction.
Already, we have jumped ship on many of the social programs aimed at helping our youth receive the care and education they deserve; we have begun the process of defunding health care for those in need; and, now, we are bound and determined to deprive our elderly of the programs they rely on in order to make ends meet. So much for the golden years, right?
The number of seniors living in Canada, in general, and B.C., in particular, is growing, thanks to advances in health care and a better understanding in healthy lifestyles. Today, it is common for many of us to have families with four or even five living generations. That is the good news. The bad news is that our grandparents and great grandparents are increasingly being forced to live on a shoe-string budget and sacrifice essentials, such as medicines and nutritious foods, to pay their bills. Many of the programs they have come to enjoy and rely upon are being defunded by the BC Liberal government.
All indicators show these problems are only going to get worse in the future. Today, experts are now concerned about how the burgeoning numbers of elders in B.C. will be cared for and accommodated in coming decades.
Currently, B.C. is home to an estimated 678,000 people aged 65 and over. Experts predict that, by 2020, that number will grow to 984,000, and there will be nearly 1.5 million seniors living in B.C. by 2036. This fast growth will require the B.C. government to adopt more asocial programs to accommodate the new demand. Instead, the Clark administration has defunded programs dedicated to providing a security net for the elderly.
Right now, fees for subsidized beds in care facilities are based on income level, with patients paying up to 80 percent of their after-tax income. This leaves just 20 per cent for all other expenses and, in many instances, nothing to cover their small, but meaningful, wants. Many British Columbians shell out between $932 and $3,022 per month towards their residential care needs.
Of course, the privileged and wealthy amongst us can afford to choose private nursing homes, at $4,000 - $9,000 per month, but most of us don’t have that option.
Let’s make life better for all our seniors in this upcoming election season. Better is not only possible, it is also a choice.
Jack Travato
Richmond
