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Study sheds new light on what seniors really need By Liz Dadson |
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What service providers believe seniors need, isn't quite the same as what seniors really need. That's just part of the information revealed in a new report commissioned by the Bruce Community Futures Development Corporation. Released last week to an audience of about 40 people at the Kincardine Pavilion, the report was done by Millier Dickinson Blais and encompassed:
In presenting the report, Lauren Millier noted the startling fact that in Bruce County, the population, aged 55 and over, grew 15.6 per cent between 2001 and 2006 - a rate nearly seven times faster than total population growth, with similar trends holding in Owen Sound. "Moreover, the share of the population over the age of 55 in Bruce County is expected to rise to more than 44 per cent by 2035, from 35.7 per cent in 2010," she said, adding that given these demographics, the report offers recommendations for dealing with the needs of a senior population. It's important for community leaders and municipal leaders to understand this information so they can create "aging-friendly" facilities, services and programs, said Millier. Among the key findings in the report are the following: The mixed levels of disposable income. The "boomer" generation, aged 45-64, has the higher median and average incomes compared to the overall population. However, total income decreases with age, with average incomes of those over 65 almost $7,000 lower than the boomer cohort. A high activity level among seniors. Local residents identified the fact that the senior population has broader interests and more active lifestyles than seniors in the past - and are more likely to spend money or undertake activities to match those interests. Therefore, they require more recreational and educational opportunities. Increased dependency and isolation. As the population ages, dependence on private and public pensions and investments - as well as government services - increases. As the cost of living rises, many seniors will struggle to rely on fixed incomes from external sources. At the same time, a lack of affordable, long-term-care, housing and meeting spaces, can lead to isolation among the senior population, particularly in more rural parts of the county. Housing and transportation are key concerns. While the county has a number of attractive features, such as high quality of life and rural beauty, local residents expressed concerns that there are limited resources or strategies to support the health care, transportation and long-term housing demands of the senior population. Improve access to medical care. Physical health is a central concern, and more effort must be given to recruiting physicians and other health care professionals to the region. More facilities and human resources will be needed to provide for those requiring extended care - through long-term care spots or "aging in place" efforts. Millier pointed out that the priorities in the seniors needs strategy are the provision of home care; providing a broader range of housing; need for transportation services; improved medical services; additional recreational activities; and accessibility. However, the survey of 250 seniors indicated they are more interested in the opportunity for regular fitness and exercise activities; more programs and services; opportunities to improve skills and learn new ones; access to recreational facilities and activities; use of computers and the Internet; and availability of residential facilities. The report outlines recommendations under five themes: community support services; health care services; transportation; housing; and civic engagement, volunteerism and employment.
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 Amanda Farrell Amanda Farrell of the Bruce Community Futures Development Corporation then outlined the action plan for each of the five themes. Part of the plan is to get the information about programs and services out to seniors. Farrell said the 211 system is great but seniors need to know about it. "We need constant communication with seniors to determine what they need which is often different than what we think they need," she said. Other strategies include: creating a "Seniors Connect" list of volunteers who can help seniors in their homes; setting up community kitchens and volunteer transportation to farmers' markets; lobbying the government to get more long-term-care beds; helping seniors get home modifications and improvements done so they can stay in their homes; and setting up a seniors advisory board. Farrell and David Spence, also of the Bruce Community Futures Development Corporation, will be working on this action plan and receiving comments from the public. If you want to comment on the report, contact them at 1-888-832-2232 or 519-396-8141 or by E-mail at brucecfdc@bruce.on.ca To read the entire Seniors Needs Analysis report, click here Scrolling stops when you move your mouse inside the scroll area. You can click on the ads for more
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