Editor:
Approaching the time in life where I will be seeking assistance with day-to-day living, it is depressing to find the costs are punishing and the help needed is not readily at hand to suit my daily routine.
It would appear that the main obstacle, in the path of putting efficient teams together for this level of care, is the very same thing that is causing distress among those businesses looking for hired help – namely, a complete lack of rental accommodation and truly affordable housing.
The demographics of the Sunshine Coast indicate that we have a large percentage of aging folk, many singles who are unable to cope for themselves and would find long waiting lists in care homes. This is going to get worse before it gets better, so community planning should take this into consideration as a top priority.
A block of, say, 50 one-bedroom units, set aside especially for home care providers, nurses and small business assistants, with reasonable and affordable rents, would soon provide a workforce able to handle the presently increasing crisis. This should be financed jointly by the province and Vancouver Coastal Health Authority.
Is anyone seriously looking for solutions to this escalating problem?
Ralph Meyer, Sechelt
