Benjamin Button

I have just finished watching “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.”  It is the story of a man born old.  It is just such an odd concept to go backwards that way, but as I watched his youth return, it made me think of how we fight age, yet he was raised with old people and he didn’t notice much in the beginning other than they left and he gained an understanding of death. 

As he regressed, he lost his memory just like many of us lose ours.  The biggest difference though was the way he was passing those he loved, going the other way.  That is the luxury we have in our process, we are all going the same way, just we leave at different times, but we are all connected.  It’s just the different times that cause the problems, losing loved ones and partners that we had anticipated going the distance with.

It was interesting to see a care facility in 1918 and how in many ways, it is much like what I see today, environments of caring. That is the beautiful characteristic about us, we care and today there is a big need for caring. And to realize the size of the need you just have to go on the BC Housing site to garner an understanding. And if I may quote “Types of subsidized housing:  Subsidized housing in British Columbia includes public housing managed by BC Housing and buildings operated by non-profit societies and housing co-operatives.

Subsidized housing in British Columbia provides homes for approximately 83,900 households, in over 150 communities across the province. More than 720 housing providers—non-profit societies and housing co-operatives—manage about 59,500 of these units. BC Housing manages an additional 7,800 public housing units, while the remainder of these units receive, rent supplements administered through programs such as the Shelter Aid for Elderly Renters (SAFER) and Rental Assistance Program.”

At the turn of the 20th century there was little if any government support. It must have been challenging for most, while the numbers were smaller, most likely they were proportional to issues of today.  Is what we have now, enough, I don’t know, but I don’t think so?  Subsidized housing developments are for people with low to moderate incomes, including:

•    Seniors
•    People with mental or physical disabilities
•    Individuals who are homeless or at risk of homelessness
•    Women and children fleeing abusive relationships
•    Aboriginal people
•    Low-income families

Each and every one of these is a growing category and unlike Benjamin we can’t go backwards. This is going to be a challenge for a government that has a declining revenue stream. It is an even greater challenge for a government that is dealing an unpopular tax issue, project cost over runs, court cases and numerous other distractions. However it is incumbent upon our government to rise above these issues and protect the most vulnerable in our society. It is not a question of a balanced budget or cuts, it is an issue of bellying up to the bar and standing tall, its John Wayne time Mr. Premier.

While my research doesn’t allow me to speak to the other sectors it does allow me to speak to seniors housing. If the underlying goal of seniors and government policy makers is the independence of seniors, then they must insure the supports needed in their preferred choice of home, must be viewed as an integral part of maintaining that independence. 

Policy makers must realize that disruptions in a senior’s life that are not based on his or her decisions have direct consequence on a senior’s health status. Avoiding this circumstance will help keep costs down in the long term and considering the Premier is going to run again, it will also be of benefit to him.

Live well and be involved,

David Hutchison