Independent Living

I have previously mentioned, as we age, living independently becomes more of a challenge and a large part of the problem is that we don't plan. We expect to maintain our health and go on indefinitely however, for most of us, (as we say in the vernacular) it ain't goina happen, not our nature. Dr. Wayne Dyer likes to point out during his presentations on PBS; we are born, we live, we die and that is the process we have to accept and plan for.

We plan for retirement, but not what happens as we decline. We spend more time planning for vacations than we ever do planning for aging, example; falling and injury are a fact of life for elders. If we decide that we are not going into an independent living environment, then we have to make our homes safer with proper support.

In reading the 2008 Council of Senior Citizens' Organizations of BC (COSCO) they defined "Independent Living" as

· Living alone or with a partner in your own house or apartment.

· Living alone or with a partner in a rented home or apartment.

· Living alone or with a partner in a senior's residence, which may or may not provide cleaning and meal services.

They also noted that independence reflects a sense of dignity, self worth and contributes to one's happiness and well being. They also support all public policies and programs that enhances seniors' ability to age in place such as universal homecare, home-support programs, an accessible public transportation system, affordable safe home maintenance design and construction program, preventative and curative health services delivered free on ageism and programs that help one cope with chronic conditions.

As I watch our current government's slash and burn policy towards our health care system, most of the items that COSCO support, will come under the slash and burn side. However, if you read "Elderly thrive in Denmark" you will find that it is economically beneficial to change our approach on how we deal with these issues as they present themselves in our communities.

Now is the time to begin looking to the future generations of elder people. According to Transport 2040, Translinks transportation strategy, Metro Vancouver will have a population of over 3 million people with seniors making up over 25% or 750,000 people. This is why programs like those in Denmark are so important. These programs provide seven days a week/twenty-four hours per day universal homecare/Home-support programs that have improved seniors' quality of life and independence, all the while reducing health care costs.

A specific example to consider is that it currently costs in excess of $80,000.00 to convert a home to accommodate a disabled person. Such costs are dramatically reduced in homes that incorporate about $1,200 worth of features in the design and building phase.

These design principles include such simple changes as building doors with wider frames and installing plumbing that could be easily lowered to accommodate an individual in a wheelchair. In short, a disability-friendly home is an age-friendly home, and an age-friendly home benefits all members of a family and a community.

One would think the construction industry would be very aggressive in its adaptation of Universal upgrades, as it is another sales benefit, particularly for all those retiring to the west coast. A nice touch would be government support and endorse such opportunities.

There are many within COSCO and those under its umbrella that can assist policy makers in developing effective and inexpensive models able to adapt these recommendations. It is my hope that as government reviews the cost savings and life improvements in people's lives, they will move quickly in their adaptation so we may all benefit from the opportunities these changes will create.

However, we all know, government only responds to the politically expedient, so get on the phone and call your local politicians.