Seniors helping Seniors

Good morning,

I am so pleased that the Federal, Provincial and Territorial (FPT) Ministers Responsible for Seniors Forum has launched a consultation on ageism. I understand that the Forum is looking to better understand and address the negative impacts of ageism towards older adults in Canada. This public consultation focuses on how older adults experience ageism, and potential solutions to address it.

In view of your kind invitation to take part in this consultation I am sharing my story in the attached document.

I have been doing some research on organizations that are supposed to be playing an important role on ageing and in advancing the rights and concerns of senior citizens in Canada. Some of them are listed below:

For example, on reviewing the brochure of ACE http://www.advocacycentreelderly.org/appimages/file/ACE_Brochure_-_2010.pdf, it is stated that a large extent of ACE’s services (and budget) is devoted to a very small segment of the aging population including residents of long-term care homes. But, what about most of the aging population?

Who is looking after the fundamental rights of majority of the aging population of Canada which includes:

· Seniors living alone in their own homes.

· Seniors living in rental accommodation.

· Homeless seniors?

Is there any NGO or body that is a charity or non-profit corporation that looks after the violation of their fundamental rights?

Whilst I am very sympathetic to the cause of residents in long-term care homes and have been in communication with the Ombudsman in that connection, I believe that there are several organizations including OLTCA [https://www.oltca.com/OLTCA/] that are addressing that segment.

Unfortunately, none of the above organizations deal with specific issues (described in the attached document) that addresses the concerns of senior citizens who are homeless or reside alone or on their own in SILF. Many senior citizens who are over 80+ years of age have expressed their security concerns and we have tried to find an organization or regulated body that would address the seniors’ psychological, emotional, cultural and security needs (e.g. fear of being evicted if they voice their grievances – which is predominant with seniors living in rental accommodation) where they may experience covert elder abuse or even violations of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). Unfortunately, we have not found any organization or law that would specifically protect seniors living in independent living facilities – even after contacting ACE. We were informed to go to Legal Aid.

Believe It or Not!

Did you know that seniors living in independent living facilities (SILF) DO NOT HAVE ANY BILL OF RIGHTS including sections of the CONSTITUTION ACT, 1982 PART I Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms (as described in detail in the attached document)? Sadly, these fundamental rights of many seniors living in SILF are denied and that is the focus of developing an NGO that represents their interests.

We are also taking this opportunity to enclose a draft Model on SHS (which can be used all over Canada) to clarify that whilst we seniors have a serious concern, we are also willing to provide a solution provided we receive sponsorship and funding from the Government of Canada. This will take a load off the Federal government and the provincial governments.

Conclusion:

After I prepared the enclosed document and distributed it to various stakeholders, these are the comments I received:

1. What you have written is so true, but, unless there is a powerful backer, your ideas will fall by the wayside.

2. Nobody will listen to your ideas unless there is a gigantic movement to establish a registered NGO - run by elders, for elders and focused on elder issues or perhaps even create a political party (if that is possible!).

3. Only when you have a registered NGO where the leaders are recognized you will not be successful in your mission.

I would certainly like to have a conversation after you:

a) Read this letter in its entirety

b) Review the enclosed documents

c) Review the enclosed presentation on Elder Abuse [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cieP6pC8QCw].

I would be delighted to speak to you and understand your thoughts and views on whether you would be willing to join the board of the Seniors Advocacy & Resolution Group that will address the needs of the aging population of Canada under one roof? This will certainly advance the rights and well-being of Canadians as we age.

I understand that you have a busy schedule and therefore I am enclosing a short survey along with the Model on Seniors Helping Seniors and would be grateful for your short but meaningful response.

With sincere thanks and respectful regards,

Tino Sequeira

Seniors Advocacy & Resolution Group (Proposed)

416.930.3107