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Senior's Safety and Mobility in Community Housing Being Ignored |
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Written by NS Liberal Party
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Wednesday, 05 April 2006 |
Liberal Seniors Critic Stephen McNeil is calling on Community Services Minister David Morse to conduct an assessment of seniors' housing facilities and develop an action plan that addresses mobility and safety concerns.
"It is clear the mobility needs of seniors in some complexes are not being met," says McNeil. "Many of these facilities have populations that are aging and seniors are finding it more difficult to get up and down the stairs in these facilities."
McNeil today sent a letter to the minister asking for the assessment and corresponding action plan. Special concerns have been expressed regarding the safety issues associated with having seniors in buildings without elevators and other appropriate lifts.
"There are many safety issues that the minister is ignoring. When seniors have to rely on stairs there are greater opportunities for falls and accidents," says McNeil.
But McNeil is also concerned about the everyday quality of life that is being compromised in some of these complexes.
"How are seniors in their 80s and 90s supposed to haul groceries and other parcels up and down staircases?" asks McNeil. "Consideration also has to be given to the friendships that seniors have established with each other in these complexes. They must have the ability to visit each other. Socializing with friends keeps us all young at heart.
"The government tells seniors it wants to help them live in their own homes for as long as possible, but how can they when the government refuses to address fundamental mobility and safety issues?" adds McNeil. |
