.
Search
Email this articleE-mail this story  Discuss this articleWrite letter to editor  Discuss this articleOrder a classified ad

Better services for seniors

Michelle DaCruz
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (June 14/02) - The territorial government is committing to improve the quality of life of seniors in the NWT before their population doubles over the next two decades.

In 2001, there were almost 3,000 seniors in the territory and by 2020 the GNWT predicts that number will increase to 7,000.

The Action Plan for Seniors Programs and Services focuses on 28 areas of concerns and promises to address them all by next summer.

Beatrice Campbell, president of the NWT seniors' society said the time line is realistic and she is pleased with the recommendations.

The most important change Campbell can foresee is implementing "one stop shopping" for services to prevent unnecessary stress to disabled seniors who need to access assistance.

By September the GNWT will identify one physical location where seniors can access all services available in their communities from income support to housing.

The major challenges facing seniors in the North, said Campbell, has been the lack of housing, and a standard home heating subsidy for all communities.

These subsidies will be reviewed annually, and calculated based on geography by March 2003, according to the plan.

"Seniors need more fuel in the Northern part of the territory, and we know that," said Joe Handley, acting minister of Education, Culture and Employment.

In terms of housing concerns, the plan speaks to establishing a long term strategy to increase independent living options, and promote awareness of GNWT home repair and maintenance services. Michael Miltenberger, the minister responsible for seniors, said the success of the plan is due to the extensive input that seniors played in its development.

A working group of representatives from nearly 10 territorial departments devised the plan after consultation with the public in 11 communities from Tuktoyaktuk to Aklavik last year. The initiative was sparked by a recommendation made by the legislative assembly in June 2000 asking the GNWT to review all programs and services for seniors.