WELCOME!! City of Hamilton SENIORS ADVISORY COMMITTEE FINAL REPORT DECEMBER 1, 2006

OUR GOALS TODAY OUTLINE KEY ISSUES FOR HAMILTON SENIORS EXPLORE POSSIBILITIES REVIEW COMMITTEE PROGRESS RECOMMENDATIONS PREPARING FOR THE FUTURE

OUR ROLE A CREDIBLE LINK BETWEEN HAMILTON SENIORS AND CITY COUNCIL A FORUM FOR CONSUMERS AND DELIVERERS OF CITY SERVICES A SOUNDING BOARD FOR SENIORS ISSUES AND POLICIES

OUR PROCESS PRESENTATIONS : CITY OF HAMILTON COUNCIL & STAFF LOCAL MPs and MPPs CORRESPONDENCE : CITY OF HAMILTON COUNCIL AND STAFF MINISTRY OF HEALTH & LONG TERM CARE DELEGATIONS FROM: CHINESE COMMUNITY AFRO-CANADIAN CARIBBIAN ASSOC. VIETNAMESE COMMUNITY

THE SENIORS POPULATION STATUS –INCREASING –CHANGING DEMANDS –CULTURAL SHIFTS IMPACT –SOCIAL ASSISTANCE –HOUSING –HEALTH –TRANSPORTATION

THE SENIORS ARE HERE YEARS YEARS 75 AND OVER CANADA14.69% 14.1%20.1% ONTARIO12.6% 12.4%17.7% HAMILTON 17.7% 20.9%28.9% …TIME TO START PLANNING !!!

OUR GREY HAIR IS BECOMING WHITE! Age Group ,935 46,866 48, ,365 20,197 21, ,555 19,352 20, ,060 16,750 17, ,160 8,510 8, ,040 6,275 6, , , ,036

BY 2021…. ONE IN FOUR HAMILTONIANS WILL BE A SENIOR WILL WE BE READY????

HAMILTON TODAY AS MANY SENIORS SEE IT

THE BASICS A HOME AN INCOME OUR HEALTH MOBILITY!

FIRST AN INCOME

WHERE DO SENIORS GET THEIR MONEY?? PRIVATE PENSIONS PERSONAL FUNDS OLD AGE SECURITY (OAS) INCOME SUPPORT (GIS / GAINS) CANADA PENSION PLAN I WISH!!! HMMMM...

WITH OAS, GIS and GAINS THEY GET... SINGLE PERSON $13,385.40/Year COUPLE $22,079.28/Year … IT IS REALLY A LIFE OF POVERTY!!

OAS and CPP IS BETTER, SINGLE $15,602 COUPLE $31,212 BUT, NOT ALL SENIORS ARE ELIGIBLE FOR CPP!!!

WHERE DOES THE MONEY GO? JUST THE BASICS!

OUR LOW INCOME SENIORS SENIORS 65 TO 74 YEARS ANNUAL INCOME 7,720 HAMILTONIANS $12,509 SENIORS 75 AND OVER ANNUAL INCOME 8,350 HAMILTONIANS $13,887

CAUGHT IN A COST SQUEEZE... AVAILABLE CASH UNCONTROLLABLE COSTS INCOME CPI ADJUSTED INCOME COPING WITH INFLATION TAXES UTILITIES TRANSPORTATION SHELTER FOOD HEALTH DRUGS TIME

COPING MEANS…...TAKING THINGS OFF THE TABLE!! FIRST TO GO…IS FUN FINALLY- ITS FOOD THEN…ITS HEALTH NEXT…WE DOWNSIZE

SAD NEWS….. HAMILTON HAS 12.8% MORE SENIORS LIVING BELOW THE POVERTY LINE THAN IN 2004 MORE SENIORS ARE BECOMING HOMELESS AND, THE NUMBER OF SENIORS INCREASES EVERYDAY! WE REALLY HAVENT GOT THIS UNDER CONTROL

INCOME ARE SERIOUS SENIORS ISSUES! PLUS NUMBERS

SECONDLY, OUR HEALTH

HEALTH AND AGE GO TOGETHER IN A STEADY DECLINE!!

RATES OF CHRONIC CONDITIONS PERCENTPERCENT HAMILTONS RATES FOR ARTHRITIS AND CARDIO DISEASE IS HIGHEST IN ONTARIO

THE INCOME - HEALTH CONNECTION LIMITED ACCESS TO THE NECESSITIES –HEALTHY FOOD –DECENT HOUSING –SOCIAL AND FITNESS ACTIVITIES PROMOTING GOOD HEALTH SOCIO-ECONOMIC EXCLUSION –POOR COPING CAPACITY –LOWER IMMUNE FUNCTION –HIGHER STRESS RESPONSE HI LO INCOME HI LO HEALTHHEALTH

ONTARIO DRUG BENEFIT PROGRAM Single seniors with an annual income of $16,018, or senior couples with annual incomes of $24,175 are required to pay a $ deductible fee Other potential costs: Dispensing fees Non listed drug charges Drug substitution fees

ASSISTIVE DEVICES PROGRAM ONLY 75% COVERED FOR SENIORS REPAIR COSTS BORNE BY THE SENIOR WHEEL CHAIR AND WALKER TIE DOWNS REQUIRED BY DARTS ARE NOT AN APPROVED SAFETY FEATURE ITS JUST MORE MONEY…I DONT HAVE $$$$

SURE... I NEED THEM, BUT WHAT WILL THEY COST? ARE THESE COVERED? HOW ABOUT HEARING AIDS? EH? PROSTHETICS?GLASSES?

FAMILY HEALTH TEAMS RESTRICT PATIENTS –PREVENT USE OF WALK IN CLINICS –CANT SEE ANOTHER DOCTOR LEAD TO CROWDING IN EMERGENCY ROOMS –PATIENTS MUST GO TO EMERGENCY ROOMS WHEN DOCTORS UNAVAILABLE INCREASED COSTS –AMBULANCE, OPT, TAXI, BUS ARE NOT FOR EVERYONE!! HMMMM

CONTINUITY AND THE ER HOW MANY SENIORS ARE VICTUMS OF AGEISM? I dont have a family doctor. They say Im too old, too much bother.. Does your family doctor ….

HOME SUPPORT IS CURRENTLY CAPPED... SORRY, WED LIKE TO HELP, BUT YOULL HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL WE HAVE AN OPENING. WOULD YOU LIKE TO CONSIDER LONG TERM CARE? A LHINS OPPORTUNITY??

DIGNITY INDEPENDENCE HOME CARE SELF CARE ISOLATION DEPRESSION INTERACTION ILLNESS LONELINESS FRIENDS I DIDNT KNOW... LIFE IS A SLIPPERY SLOPE

GOOD HEALTH FUNCTIONAL HEALTH INDEPENDENCE IN DAILY LIVING POSITIVE SELF IMAGE OF HEALTH: –PHYSICAL –MENTAL –EMOTIONAL SOCIALLY INTEGRATED NON DISCRIMINATORY TREATMENT MAKING THE BEST OF TIME

HEALTHY LIVING FOR SENIORS EXERCISE FREQUENTLY DRINK ALCOHOL MODERATELY MAINTAIN NORMAL WEIGHT (BMI) EAT FRUIT & VEGGIES OFTEN DONT SMOKE REDUCE STRESS LEVELS STAY SOCIALLY CONNECTED HEALTH STARTS WITH YOU

THIRD, A HOME

ITS BETTER TO AGE AT HOME... BUT, OFTEN SENIORS MUST MOVE!

SOME HAVE CHOICES…THEY CAN AGE... IN THEIR HOME IN GEARED TO INCOME WITH THEIR CHILDREN IN ASSISTED LIVING IN A RETIRMENT HOME OR, WITHOUT A HOME OTHERS DO NOT!!!

A HOME HAS THREE As AVAILABILITY AFFORDABILITY ACCESSIBILITY A PLACE TO BE…. ME!! AND, ONE BIG S

AVAILABILITY WHATS OUT THERE? –STUDIOS? –APARTMENTS? –FLATS AND ROOMS? WHOS ELIGIBILE? –COST? WHERE ARE THEY? –NEAR THE HOSPITAL? WHEN WILL IT BE AVAILABLE? MAYBE ITS TIME TO…THINK ABOUT....

AFFORDABILITY IS A CHALLENGE BETTER STAY HERE SMALL APARTMENT GEARED TO INCOME SHARED HOUSING RETIREMENT HOMES ASSISTED LIVING LONG TERM CARE WOW….LOOK WHAT THEY WANT FOR ……...

ACCESSIBILITY WHEEL CHAIR –ENTRANCES –ELEVATORS –KITCHENS –WASHROOMS TRANSPORTATION –AVAILABILITY SUPPORT SYSTEMS –SUPPORT SYSTEMS –MEDICAL, HOME CARE –FAMILY and FRIENDS WERE NOT ALL OLYMPIC ATHLETES!!

THE BIG S WORD….. SAFE ON THE STREET –POLICING –EDUCATION SAFE ENTRIES –ENTRANCES –HALLWAYS SAFE IN THEIR HOME –SECURE DOORS AND ALARMS –CHECK SYSTEMS SAFETY IS FEELING SAFE AND SECURE

THE IRONY OF LONG LISTS…....EMPTY SPACES LOCATION,LOCATION, LOCATION

THE FINAL PILLAR GETTING THERE

MOBILITY FROM HERE TO THERE!! TRANSFER

GETTING AROUND... IS A REAL CHALLENGE FOR MANY SENIORS HSR DARTS BLUE GO

THREE ON THE MOUNTAIN FIVE DOWNTOWN

ITS ABOUT TIME TOO... FROM: WINONA & HWY 8 TRANSFERSTIME TO: HENDERSON HOSPITAL HSR 3 2:00 CAR (HSR ROUTE) 0 :45 CAR (DIRECT ROUTE) 0 :20 BY...AND WE DONT HAVE MUCH LEFT!

TERMINALS AND NODES THE LINC WEST ENDCENTRALEAST END THE LINC EAST WEST ESCARPMENT LEAD TO FASTER SERVICE AND IMPROVING FEEDERS FOR SENIORS

NODAL SERVICES REDUCE BUS WEAR AND TEAR COMFORTABLE TRANSFER AREAS CREATE KISS & RIDE CENTRES PROMOTE RIDERSHIP BUS IT….. WITH HSR!! HSR MAKING LIFE EASIER

INTERLOCKING SYSTEMS LOWER HAMILTON UPPER HAMILTON INTERCONNECT BUSES HSR IMPROVE SYSTEM REDUCE BUS WEAR

ALONG WITH…. FREE OFF PEAK TRAVEL FOR SENIORS FIXED RATES FOR SENIORS PASSES RETAIN TAXI SCRIP RATES FOR SENIORS LETS HAVE A SENIORS REWARDS PROGRAM ! ….TO HELP THEM GET THERE!

HERE COMES DARTS!! DARTS ANOTHER POINT!

ONE CALL DOES ALL SCHEDULING DISPATCH CALL CENTRE DISPATCH PICK UP AND RETURN REQUEST …AND FEEDBACK WILL HELP THE SYSTEM IMPROVE!

MIXED FLEETS FOR MIXED NEEDS VANS FOR THE MOBILE ELDERLY DARTS BUSES FOR THE IMMOBILE ELDERLY AND ASSISTIVE DEVICES USERS DARTS HSR

GRADUATED TAXI SCRIP SENIORS WITH ADVANCED CHRONIC DISEASE FRAIL AND ELDERLY SENIORS FROM HOME TO DESTINATION AND RETURN … IS A SOLUTION FOR PRE APPROVED SENIORS

INCREASING THE HSR SERVICE & RIDERSHIP CONVENIENCE…..SCHEDULING COMFORT….GETTING ON AND OFF COST….VALUE FOR MONEY HSR

INDEPENDENCE FOR SENIOR DRIVERS TRAINING –55 ALIVE AT 65, AND 75 –MINISTRY OF TRANSPORTATION AT 80 TESTING –LOCATION –SCHEDULING LICENSING –GRADUATED LICENCES FIRST TIME IN 53 YEARS YOUVE HAD AN ACCIDENT EH, WELL.. YOULL HAVE TO HAVE A TEST!

ABOUT SENIORS DRIVERS IN ONTARIO….. LESS ACCIDENTS LESS INSURANCE LESS DISTRACTIONS LESS ROAD RAGE Ministry of Transport Stats

AGE DISCRIMINATION IS DISCRIMINATION Re-examination Required:...for a licensed driver aged 70 years or over who has been involved in one or more collisions and there is some indication of improper driver action. VERSUS DRIVERS 16 TO 69 YEARS...for a licensed driver involved in 3 or more collisions within two years…. a test may be required. WHY NOT TEST EVERYONE WHO HAS AN ACCIDENT?

TRANSPORTATION GOALS CREATE TIGHTLY KNIT NETWORKS MIX FLEETS FOR EFFECTIVENESS FOCUS ON JOURNEY TIME DECREASING SENIORS COST WILL INCREASE RIDERSHIP CREATING A NODAL SERVICE WILL REDUCE COMMUTERISM PROMOTE USE OF OFF HOURS BY REDUCING FARES BUILDING INDEPENDENCE THROUGH COST EFFECTIVE HSR SERVICES!!

THE NEED FOR MOBILIY IS CRITICAL FOR SENIORS

OUR PROGRESS NEVER ENOUGH…. AND NEVER QUITTING!

HEALTH ISSUES OHIP PREMIUMS Impact on Seniors Income OHIP DE-LISTING Loss of Chiropractic Care Limitations on Physiotherapy Eye Care for Age Bracket Impact on ERs and Consistency of Care for Seniors IMPACT OF ONTARIO DISABILITY ACT ON SENIORS MULTI CULTURAL SERVICES

HEALTHY SENIORS NEED COMMUNITY SUPPORT EDUCATION PROGRAMS OLDER ADULT CENTRES GOOD NUTRITION SMOKING CESSATION HOME CAREACCESS FITNESS ACTIVITY SOCIAL

SAFETY AND SECURITY DOWNTOWN SURVEILANCE CAMERAS THEFT, SCAMS AND FRAUDS FIRE AND SAFETY ELDER ABUSE PHYSICAL, PSYCHOLOGICAL, AND FINANCIAL

INCOME ISSUES IMPACT OF MUNICIPAL POLICY ON SENIORS RESIDENTIAL TAX DEFERRAL PLAN REBATES FOR APARTMENT DWELLERS SENIORS BUS PASSES HOW MUCH??

HOUSING ISSUES HOMELESSNESS AFFORDABLE HOUSING MIXED AGE HOUSING SAFETY SUPPORT DRUMMING IT UP FOR SENIORS

TRANSPORTATION LOW FLOOR RAMP BUSES DARTS SERVICES ATS APPEAL SYSTEM TRAFFIC LIGHTS DRIVER TRAINING SENIORS REWARD PLAN SNOW REMOVAL

PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER FOR TOMORROWS SENIORS! A SUITABLE INCOME A PLACE TO CALL HOME HEALTH CARE MOBILITY ON A FOUNDATION OF SAFETY HAMILTON SENIORS

THAT THING CALLED AGE AT WE CANT WAIT UNTIL WERE 16 TO DRIVE AT WE CANT WAIT UNTIL WERE 19 TO DRINK AT WE CANT WAIT UNTIL WERE 21 TO BE FREE THEN ITS 29…AND BOOMERANG TIME! AND ITS ALL DOWN HILL!!

AGEISM IS A SOCIAL CONSTRUCT NEGATIVE STEREOTYPES –AT THEY ARE TIRED, SICK,AND CANT DRIVE! –AT THEY START TO LIMP, DROOL, AND WATCH TV! –AT THEY CANT HEAR, OR REMEMBER ANYTHING!! NEGATIVE ATTITUDES –THEYRE ALL A BIT DOZEY WE HAVE CREATED!!! IM SUPPOSED TO.. NOW LETS SEE...

THE CONSTRUCT MUST CHANGE THE CURRENT SOCIAL EXPECTATION OF SENIORS BEHAVIOR IS LEARNED AND REINFORCED BY OUR SOCIETY! RESHAPING THE IMAGE FROM WITHDRAWAL TO ENGAGEMENT BEGINS WITH PROMOTING SENIORS PROGRAMS IN THE LONG RUN…SENIORS WILL BE HEALTHIER, AND HAPPIER IF THEY ARE INVOLVED!!

GOOD HEALTH AND ACTIVE LIVING IN A SAFE, WALKABLE COMMUNITY

MODEST GOALS FOR COUNCIL MAINTAIN TIGHT CONTROL OVER TAXES AND COSTS THE CITY DOWN LOADS TO SENIORS IMPLEMENT HOUSING POLICIES THAT CO-LOCATE SENIORS AND SUPPORT SERVICES CREATE STRATEGIES IN THE CITY TO PROMOTE SENIORS HEALTH AND SAFETY ENSURE THE CITY IS BARRIER FREE AT ALL LEVELS INCLUDING HOUSING, BUSING, AND WALKWAYS PRICKLEY ISSUES

GOALS FOR OUR MPP FRIENDS ELIMINATE POLICIES THAT DISCRIMINATE AGAINST SENIORS FUND MORE SOCIAL HOUSING FOR SENIORS IN HAMILTON FOCUS AND FUND PROGRAMS TO ASSIST HAMILTON SENIORS AGE IN THEIR OWNHOME HELP HAMILTON WITH A PEN STROKE !

AND THE FOLKS ON THE HILL.. PLACE RELENTLESS EMPHASIS ON PROGRAMS AND FUNDING TO IMPROVE THE HEALTH OF SENIORS CREATE STRATEGIES TO ELIMINATE AGEISM AND AGE DISCRIMINATION STRENGTHEN INCOME SUPPORT PROGRAMS FOR SENIORS LIVING BELOW THE APPLICABLE LIMITED INCOME CUT OFF LINE SUPPORTING THE FOLKS AT HOME

AS WE PART….PLEASE REMEMBER.. MOST SENIORS ARE INCOME LIMITED MANY ARE POORLY HOUSED THE MAJORITY OF SENIORS ARE LESS THAN HEALTHY GETTING FROM A TO B SAFELY IS A CHALLENGE Weakening a Pillar Leads to a Lesser life

THANKS FOR YOUR TIME TODAY PLAN YOUR FUTURE….ITS CLOSER THAN YOU THINK!!