Are we doing enough in this province to provide seniors with adequate health care? Judging by a 400-plus-page report from ombudsperson Kim Carter, we are clearly not.
Carter released her report last week, which makes 176 recommendations to help address what many health critics have called a "crisis" in B.C.
In her findings, she calls into question several seniors' healthcare issues including the inability to access information, abuse prevention, making sure seniors are being treated as equals and in-home care services that are not adequate.
In response to Carter's report, the province released plans to improve seniors' health care with things like a 24-hour nursing telephone line, the expansion of pilot home support services and other programs aimed at preventing abuse and keeping seniors informed. These are all good steps, but is this just a Band-Aid solution to a much broader problem?
We, along with other health critics, believe that more resources should be put into home- and community-based care options, which are more cost-effective and could produce better results while involving the family members of the senior in their care.
It's an idea that is being championed here on the Coast by the Sunshine Coast Senior Citizens organization and many other seniors' groups in communities across B.C.
Health care costs continue to skyrocket in this province, and despite additional funding for health authorities announced by Finance Minister Kevin Falcon in Tuesday's provincial budget, more is clearly needed to help a health care system that at times appears to be on life support.
Slow down
As construction picks up on Highway 101 in Sechelt and travellers make their way through detours in Davis Bay, we'd like to remind motorists to slow down, to stop at all stop signs and be aware of children, pedestrians and cyclists in the area.
RCMP have received several complaints from residents of near accidents. The detours are necessary to complete this highway work. Slow down and be considerate of the residents in the neighbourhoods these detours are travelling through. Be safe, as RCMP will have extra enforcement in the area.
