‘Independence is key issue for seniors’

NEWS/ COMMUNITY — Independence remains the priority for seniors, their new provincial advocate said today (Friday) in Kamloops.

Speaking to about 170 people at the first Seniors Symposium on “Age Friendly cities and Rural Communities,” Isobel Mackenzie said seniors want, and should have, the freedom to do what they like.

“Aging isn’t about a particular number, it’s about some of the inevitable milestones were going to reach as we get older,” she said in reference to the difficulty of defining what a senior is. But she said first and foremost seniors don’t want to be seen as a burden on society or as simply a cost that younger generations must bear.

“The Number One issue that I hear is that ‘we want to remain independent for as long as possible in our house.'”

Seniors, she said, contribute immeasurably to their communities. She challenged the audience to imagine what a community would be like if everyone over 65 “downed tools” for even a day.

“Seniors actually give much, much, much more than we provide to them.”

Mackenzie, appointed B.C.’s first seniors’ advocate earlier this year, said its important to focus “on what is still there, not what’s lost” as people age and begin coping with physical or mental — and sometimes both — challenges.

Touching on dementia, she said knowledge of the disease continues to grow. Proper care can slow its progression, she said. For example, it’s been found that agitation often associated with dementia decreases significantly when patients are allowed more choices in such basics as what to eat.

“Their agitation might not be because they have dementia, it might be because we’re making them do something they don’t want to do.”

Mackenzie said seniors’ issues differ from one community to another. Twenty years ago, people were expected to move into cities as they aged but now they’re encourage to remain in their communities, so services must be tailored appropriately.

“We need to make sure our seniors are supported in those communities.”

The day-long symposium was hosted by Oncore Central Services, a Kamloops seniors’ society.