The transition from AISH to ADAP is happening in July. In this article, Michael Franklin explains what this means to many Albertans.
“‘When we move onto ADAP, what’s going to happen is that ADAP clients are now going to be $725 below the poverty line. It’s going to push people deeper into poverty.'”
If you are in an emergency room on Vancouver Island and see carts being wheeled around filled with items such as blankets, neck pillows, and stuffed animals, you are probably in one of urgent care facilities that are implementing “Comfort Carts.” The single-use items on the cart are given to seniors as way to help individuals feel more comfortable as they wait to receive healthcare. “‘And gosh, does it ever feel good when you see the smile on a senior’s face, or the comfort, that look of relief when you provide those kinds of items to a senior in distress.'”
Click here to read more about this initiative.
Air travel can be challenging for many people. This is especially true for individuals with disabilities. Although policies may be in place to address this issue, whether or not they have truly been implemented and/or bring about the desired outcomes is another question. This is something that Marketplace investigated not long ago. What they discovered was less than reassuring.
According to a statement from Anita Anand, Minister of Transport, “‘Accessible air travel isn’t optional…It’s essential, and we expect all airlines to do their part.'” (https://www.cbc.ca/news/marketplace/air-canada-promises-accessible-transit-hidden-camera-1.7369146)
Destiny Robinson-Cooke has been fighting for over six years to get benefits related to her service dog, Sasha. Finally, on June 28, 2023, her battle was won. Nevertheless, as Robinson Cooke correctly states, “‘A disabled person should not have to fight for a benefit they are entitled to.'” Click here to read the full article.
“I invite the premier, health minster, and the people directly responsible for this decision to come for a sleepover in the hallway of one of our hospitals for a few days. Once you have experienced the indignity of eating, sleeping, and toileting in a thin gown in front of a ward full of people, visitors, doctors, custodial staff and other allied health-care workers, I might be willing to accept that this policy was made in an informed way.”
The above is from a powerful opinion piece written by Manpreet (Mona) Gill. Click here to read the full article.
As greater emphasis is being placed on “getting on with life” or at the very least “learning to live with COVID-19” people who are immunocompromised, disabled or have medical issues that put them or those they care for at risk are being isolated, alienated, ostracized and ignored by much of society. In an article entitled, “Those who are Disabled and Immunocompromised need to be supported, not ignored,” Eva Williams describes this new reality. According to her, “The way that vulnerable people are currently being treated is nothing short of barbaric.” Click here to read Williams’ article.
Every so often there is a Twitter thread that is a definite must read. This thread by Katie Babcock is one of them. In addition to the thread, you might want to read the comments by fellow Twitter users as well.
A common theme in media is that vulnerable people “feel” left behind by the lack of COVID protections. We don’t feel left behind – we have been left behind and what being “left behind” means is that we’re either forced to isolate or forced into situations that could kill us. 🧵
— Katie Babcock (@katebabcock) July 13, 2022
Another example of profits over people. How many individuals, especially seniors and/or people with disabilities, are being taken advantage of by businesses etc.?
“‘Being that I am a diabetic and I struggle with mental illness and I’m legally blind and I’m legally deaf I thought this might be a way that I could try and save money. ‘”
Click here to read the full story.
Do you live or work in the province of Alberta and are you:
If so, the Scientific Office of Alberta’s Seniors Health Strategic Clinical Network invites you to complete the following survey. By responding to the survey, you will be helping to determine the direction/priorities for future research and initiatives in the area of seniors’ health.
