Podcast: Steps Across Generations walk brings fun, but calls still out for seniors advocate

There was walking, talking, painting, ice cream, even dancing, and it all united young and old.

Everyone knows a senior, or would hope to be a senior one day themselves, hence the importance of emphasizing the impact of today’s seniors and what they mean to everyone.

It’s also noteworthy the Golden Circle is not just for seniors, says Executive Director Lisa Manning.

“The seniors love this event. It literally makes their day. Some of them have grandkids they don’t get to see, it creates conversations with the kids, and sharing their stories is inspirational to them as well. It’s a win-win for both the kids and older adults,” Manning told rdnewsNOW and The Everything Red Deer Podcast.

“We can’t tell you how much we appreciate all the seniors. They’ve built the city, this country, and we need to honour and appreciate them for all they do. This week gives us a chance to focus on them and what they like to do.”

The event was put on by the Golden Circle in collaboration with a group called Strengthening Positive Assets & Resiliency in Communities (SPARC).

SPARC co-chair Rania Page says the walk is about bridging the intergenerational gap.

“This is a time for seniors to have a place, to feel like they have a sense of purpose, to give back, and to make a positive impact in the life of a child,” said Page.

“And then for the child also to create some value in our community, to help them feel they have a role to play in the community by connecting with a positive adult.”

(rdnewsNOW/Josh Hall)

SPARC focuses on what’s known as the 40 Development Assets, which you can read more about here.

On the political side of things, Public Interest Alberta (PIA) released a statement this week calling on the provincial government to reinstate a standalone Seniors Advocate — an office independent of the Legislative Assembly, but who reports to it and the public on the needs of seniors.

“This is a week to celebrate Alberta’s seniors, but the truth is they deserve so much better than they are getting from our provincial government,” said Bradley Lafortune, executive director of Public Interest Alberta. “If they truly wanted to celebrate older persons, our provincial government would immediately stand up an Office of the Seniors’ Advocate similar to British Columbia and other jurisdictions.”

As the PIA notes, the UCP disbanded a previous Seniors’ Advocate role in 2019, rolling it into the health advocate portfolio.

But Lafortune says the needs of seniors warrants its own office.

He believes too that eliminating the word ‘seniors’ from all provincial ministries was a poor choice, and indicative of a government with the wrong focus.

During Premier Danielle Smith’s recent cabinet shuffle, Jason Nixon, who was minister of seniors, community and social services, was made minister of assisted living and social services.

But the province is confident in what it’s doing for seniors.

In addition to a statement praising Alberta’s approximate 830,000 seniors, and noting the “wide range of social services” available to them, Minister Nixon’s office responded to rdnewsNOW’s questions about installing a new independent advocate for seniors.

“The Office of the Seniors Advocate was disbanded in 2019, with its responsibilities transferred to the Health Advocate. This change was made in recognition of the significant overlap between the concerns of seniors and the broader issues addressed by the Health Advocate. By consolidating these roles, the government aimed to streamline services and ensure that seniors’ health-related needs continued to be effectively supported within a unified framework. There was no loss of jobs, and all existing services continued during the transfer,” the ministry says.

“The Health Advocate works closely with the Ministry of Assisted Living and Social Services (ALSS) to assist seniors with non-medical concerns that may impact their well-being. This includes connecting individuals to services related to income support, housing, food security, and transportation.”

The ministry adds that Minister Nixon meets quarterly with the health advocate to ensure responsiveness to issues.

“Alberta’s government is committed to supporting seniors and ensuring their voices are heard when it comes to the policies, programs, and services that affect them,” the ministry adds.

“One important way we do this is through the Health Advocate, who plays a vital role in helping seniors navigate the system and access the supports they need.”

More on Alberta Seniors’ Week is at alberta.ca.

by Josh Hall | @Vancan19

Podcast: Steps Across Generations walk brings fun, but calls still out for seniors advocate

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