Vancouver Has A New Seniors Housing Strategy

Author

Deep
July 30, 2024

It's Tuesday 30th of July, and this week's weather calls for clothing suitable for changing conditions: rainwear for today, transitioning to summer attire with light, breathable layers for rising temperatures, and sun protection for the sunny latter half.

In week’s newsletter:

  • How we may be affected by Translink budget problems

  • What lifting COVID-19 Vaccine Mandates means for us

  • A new Vancouver seniors housing strategy

  • Pride events for us seniors

IN THE NEWS

Vancouver's Transit Crossroads: What Seniors Need to Know

TransLink, the lifeline of our city's transportation, is staring down a $600-million yearly budget shortfall.

If they can't fill this gap by Spring 2025, we might see changes to our transit system that could make your head spin.

We're talking about potentially cutting half of our bus routes - that's 145 out of 220! The West Coast Express might become a thing of the past, and we could see fewer SkyTrains and SeaBuses cruising around.

For us seniors who rely on public transit to get to doctor's appointments, visit the grandkids, or just enjoy a day out in our beautiful city, this could mean big changes to our daily routines.

Now, you might be wondering, "How did we get here?" Well, it's a sign of the times. Fewer people are buying gas these days, which means less money from the gas tax that funds TransLink. And with more folks working from home since that pandemic business, there's less fare revenue coming in.

TransLink has presented two scenarios to deal with this shortfall, and neither looks pretty. One focuses on maximizing ridership by maintaining service in Vancouver, Burnaby, Richmond, and central Surrey, while the other tries to spread out coverage.

So, what's the solution? That's the million-dollar question, and you can bet your bottom dollar it'll be a hot topic in the upcoming provincial election. The federal government has promised some funding, but it's not enough to plug this leak.

One thing's for sure - our city is changing, and our transit system needs to keep up. As we've seen throughout our lives, change isn't always easy, but it's often necessary.

For now, the best thing we can do is stay informed and make our voices heard. After all, we've been riding these buses and trains for decades - who better to speak up about their future?

COVID-19 Vaccine Mandates Lifted: What It Means for Seniors' Healthcare

The B.C. government has lifted the COVID-19 vaccine mandate for health-care workers, potentially easing the staffing shortages we've experienced in hospitals and care homes.

Over 2,000 healthcare professionals, previously let go for refusing the vaccine, can now return to work. This could mean shorter wait times and more available care for us.

However, it's not a complete return to pre-pandemic norms. While vaccination is no longer required, health workers must now report their immunization status for various diseases, including COVID-19 and influenza.

This new measure aims to protect vulnerable patients - that's us, folks!

Dr. Bonnie Henry assures us that this decision was made with our safety in mind. She emphasized that the previous mandate was crucial in protecting seniors during the height of the pandemic.

As we navigate this change, let's stay informed and continue to prioritize our health.

Remember, vaccination remains a strong shield against severe illness, especially for us in the golden years. Stay safe, stay healthy!

Vancouver's New Seniors Housing Strategy: A Reader Responds

This week, the City of Vancouver unveiled its first-ever Seniors Housing Strategy, aimed at addressing the growing housing needs of Vancouverites like us.

Key points of the strategy include:

1. Creating more affordable and purpose-designed homes for seniors

2. Fast-tracking care facility proposals

3. Updating design guidelines for seniors' housing

4. Exploring a "Campus of Care" on city-owned land

5. Advocating for expanded senior housing programs from provincial and federal governments

While the strategy looks to the future, we've received a letter from Rita Gerard, a long-time Vancouver resident, sharing her thoughts on how this plan impacts current seniors.

Here's what Rita had to say:

Dear Editor,

While I appreciate the City of Vancouver's effort to address seniors' housing with their new strategy, I can't help but feel it's too little, too late for many of us. At 74, I've watched this housing crisis unfold for decades, and now we're supposed to be grateful for a plan that won't bear fruit for years to come?

Sure, fast-tracking care facility proposals sounds nice, but what about those of us struggling to pay rent now? The strategy talks about protecting seniors during redevelopments, but many of us have already been priced out of our long-time neighborhoods.

And let's be realistic – how many of us will still be around to enjoy this "Campus of Care" on city-owned land when it finally materializes? It feels like we're being handed empty promises while we continue to scrape by on fixed incomes in a city that's become unaffordable.

Our generation built this city, and now we're left feeling like an afterthought. We need immediate solutions, not vague plans for the future. It's high time the city recognized that we're facing a crisis now, not in 2040.

Sincerely,

Rita G

We welcome further discussion on this important issue affecting our senior community. What are your thoughts on Vancouver's new Seniors Housing Strategy?

Headline

Lorem ipsum

Golden Age Olympians: Canada's Senior Athletes Saddle Up for Glory

While not Vancouver-specific, let's cheer for Canada's oldest Olympians: Jill Irving and Mario Deslauriers, who we hope will go on to win medals in this years equestrian events!

Jill Irving

Jill Irving, 61, will showcase her skills in dressage, while Mario Deslauriers, 59, competes in show jumping. Let's cheer for our seasoned athletes! 🇨🇦

Mario Deslauriers

EVENTS & ACTIVITIES

Aging With Pride

A celebration on July 30, 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM, focusing on community and joy, organized by various local organizations. More info here.

Terry Wallace Memorial Breakfast

On August 3, from 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM, this event welcomes seniors for a communal meal. More info here.

Jazz Hands in the Air

A special event on August 3 at 7:00 PM, tailored for seniors, hosted by the West End Seniors Network. More info here.

MEMORY LANE

000 Block W. Hastings Street

Taken in July 1951

Thank you for reading this week’s edition of The Vancouver Sage.

If you’d like to take part, reply to this email with any tips and suggestions you have to make this newsletter more useful.

See you next week.