Editor:
My heart broke when I saw an elderly senior at the pharmacy requesting shelf Tylenol be split in two, because it was not affordable buying a full bottle. This humble senior, with clear humiliation and sad eyes, said the condo monthly strata fee had increased and it was hard to live comfortably anymore. This senior shares a pound of butter with a neighbour ($7 a pound at Safeway).
Moments later I saw the senior looking at the “clear-out” rack of near spoiling bagged vegetables. This could be your parent or grandparent; it's utterly heartbreaking.
B.C. residents are able to defer property tax. I challenge B.C. residents to write to the B.C. government and request to implement the ability to defer strata fees for low-income seniors (without lengthy, costly studies; it's urgently needed now, not years from now).
A senior lady I know had two days a month home support cleaning service to help in her home. She was recently battling cancer and knee replacement surgery, then stumbled and fell, broke the same kneecap in two and required yet another surgery. Recently, unexpectedly, her supportive husband died, who cared for her and did most house chores in their home.
Now she received notice that her home support service is now reduced to once every two months, from twice a month.
Consider:
- 84% of low-income seniors report running out of money to buy food some of the time.
- There was a 78% increase in use of food banks by B.C. seniors in the last five years.
- B.C. seniors need funded extended health benefits, such as dental, eyeglasses, hearing aids or medical equipment; currently seniors pay the total cost.
- Federal and B.C. governments together can make it happen.
If our B.C. government truly cares as they claim, repeating over and over, it’s time they prove they care. Increase the B.C. Seniors Supplement to inflation, consistent with other income supports such as GIS/OAS and CPP.
Implement the ability to defer strata fees for low-income seniors.
Mrs. S. Jaser
