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...

55-64 YEARS 65-74 YEARS 75 AND OVER

CANADA 14.69% 14.1% 20.1%

ONTARIO 12.6% 12.4% 17.7%

HAMILTON 17.7% 20.9% 28.9%

…TIME TO START PLANNING !!!

OUR GREY HAIR IS BECOMING WHITE!

Age Group 2001 2006 2011

55-64 44,935 46,866 48,740

65-69 19,365 20,197 21,004

70-74 18,555 19,352 20,126

75-79 16,060 16,750 17,420

80-84 8,160 8,510 8,850

85+ 6,040 6,275 6,526

113,115 117,950 122,036

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

TAXESUTILITIESTRANSPORTATION

SHELTERFOODHEALTH

DRUGS

TIME

COPING MEANS….

..TAKING THINGS OFF THE TABLE!!

FIRST TO GO…IS FUN

FINALLY- IT’S 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 HAVEN’T GOT THIS UNDER

CONTROL’

‘INCOME’

ARE SERIOUS SENIOR’S ISSUES!

PLUS

‘NUMBERS’

SECONDLY,

OUR HEALTH

HEALTH AND AGE GO TOGETHER

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

55-64 65-74 75-84 85+

IN A STEADY DECLINE!!

RATES OF CHRONIC CONDITIONS

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

ARTHRITIS

ASTHMA

CARDIO

DIABETES

45-64 65-74 75+

PERCENT

HAMILTON’S 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

HEALTH

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 $100.00 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

‘IT’S JUST MORE MONEY…I DON’T 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

– CAN’T 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 don’t have a family doctor. They say I’m too

old, too much bother..’

‘Does your family doctor ….

HOME SUPPORT IS CURRENTLY CAPPED...

‘SORRY, WE’D LIKE TO HELP, BUT YOU’LL

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 DIDN’T 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

•DON’T SMOKE

•REDUCE STRESS LEVELS

•STAY SOCIALLY CONNECTED ‘HEALTH STARTS WITH YOU’

THIRD,

A HOME

IT’S 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 ‘A’s’

• AVAILABILITY

• AFFORDABILITY

• ACCESSIBILITY

A PLACE TO BE…. ME!!

AND, ONE BIG ‘S’

AVAILABILITY

• WHAT’S OUT THERE?– STUDIOS?

– APARTMENTS?

– FLATS AND ROOMS?

• WHO’S ELIGIBILE?– COST?

• WHERE ARE THEY?– NEAR THE HOSPITAL?

• WHEN WILL IT BE AVAILABLE?

‘MAYBE IT’S 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

‘WE’RE 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

IT’S ABOUT TIME TOO...FROM: WINONA & HWY 8

TRANSFERS TIME

TO: HENDERSON HOSPITAL

HSR 3 2:00

CAR (HSR ROUTE) 0 :45

CAR (DIRECT ROUTE) 0 :20

BY

...AND WE DON’T HAVE MUCH LEFT!

TERMINALS AND NODES

THE ‘LINC’

WEST END CENTRAL EAST END

THE LINCEASTWEST

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 LET’S HAVE A SENIORS’

REWARDS PROGRAM!

….TO HELP THEM GET THERE!

HERE COMES DARTS!!

DARTS

ANOTHER POINT!

ONE CALL DOES ALL

SCHEDULING

DISPATCH

CALL CENTRE

DISPATCHPICK UP

AND

RETURN

REQUEST

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 YOU’VE HAD AN ACCIDENT EH, WELL .. YOU’LL 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 2003-2006

‘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 55-65 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 CARE ACCESS

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• SUPPORTDRUMMING 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 TOMORROW’S SENIORS!

•A SUITABLE INCOME

•A PLACE TO CALL HOME

•HEALTH CARE

•MOBILITY

ON A FOUNDATION OF SAFETY

HAMILTON SENIORS

THAT THING CALLED AGE

•AT 15... WE CAN’T WAIT UNTIL WE’RE 16 TO DRIVE

•AT 17... WE CAN’T WAIT UNTIL WE’RE 19 TO DRINK

•AT 20... WE CAN’T WAIT UNTIL WE’RE 21 TO BE ‘FREE’

•THEN IT’S 29…AND ‘BOOMERANG TIME!’

AND IT’S ALL DOWN HILL!!

AGEISM IS A ‘SOCIAL CONSTRUCT’

• NEGATIVE STEREOTYPES– ‘AT 65... THEY ARE TIRED,

SICK,AND CAN’T DRIVE!’

– ‘AT 70... THEY START TO LIMP, DROOL, AND WATCH TV!’

– ‘AT 75... THEY CAN’T HEAR, OR REMEMBER ANYTHING!!’

• NEGATIVE ATTITUDES– ‘THEY’RE ALL A BIT DOZEY’

WE HAVE CREATED!!!

I’M SUPPOSED TO.’.

‘NOW LET’S 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

PRICKLEYISSUES

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….IT’S CLOSER THAN YOU THINK!!