I have been busy seeking feedback from Kimberley's Seniors and just completed two sessions. One thing that is resoundingly clear is they have a voice! When you ask for an opinion - you will get feedback, lots of it, LOUD and CLEAR.
When Kimberley's seniors experience unjust processes, unfair treatment, and community-based experiences that are creeping beyond their cost of living reality... you will hear from them. Kimberley's seniors will not hold back on their opinion. Feedback from some of the stories I have heard is based on being told that they are OK, and that they will be just fine. Wrong!
Common thinking within the ranks of Kimberley's seniors: WHERES' THE BEEF?
They want answers to grassroots, community-based problems that they are facing and not getting help with. Here is some of the feedback that I received:
First of all, there are obvious things emerging: 1. Kimberley's Seniors built our town, they deserve better. 2. They represent a much larger percentage of our town in the >65 age group (around 20% , compared to provincial average of around 14%). 3. They have an excellent voice - as long as someone is listening.
The question I asked was simple: "As a senior living in Kimberley, what concerns would you like priority given to?"
In order of priority, here is the feedback: Transportation issues, Access to Health Care, Cost of Living issues
Here are SOME of the Kimberley Seniors comments:
- There should be accessible low rent housing that is near town and amenities, also a bench halfway up the trail so I can rest on my way to the Doctors appt. (above Boundary Street).
- Bus quits too soon - get left at clinic (Kimberley) or hospital in Cranbrook.
- Bus should run on weekends, I can't visit my friends or go to Crib.
- Keep funding SWIM program for seniors.
- Cost of living is very high, prescriptions are very expensive.
- Transportation is very difficult if you no longer drive. No service on weekends.
- Transportation, going out in Kimberley after 3pm (plays and social activity) would keep me going, but service is not there. I can't afford a taxi.
- Transportation evening/ weekends. Bus rushing the seniors because bus is full of students.
- Keep recreation programs for seniors, its all I have left.
- There should be a "just" fare adjustment for short rides. For example: Kimbrook appt. to pool should be less that three dollars each way. Right now it's three dollars each way.
- Transportation to Cranbrook should be more often than twice per week.
- Transportation to outskirts in Meadowbrook (and Wycliffe).
- Bus driver should not be able to pick and choose where he picks up and drops off.
- How about a flyer with all the available people that make our things easier for us.
- Help for people still on their own - snow removal, gardens, etc.
- Affordable housing for seniors (where is the Lions Manor replacements?).
- Rotary Park playground is not accesible to wheelchair (to be with family).
- Cats/Deer/Dogs... I've had it!
- Can't make ends meet
- DEEEEER!
- No Hospital in Kimberley - have to go to emergency in Cranbrook. Expensive for rides.
- Welcome committee
- Dead trees in Mark Creek need to be cleaned up.
- Support from city for the Seniors Swim program, it's a necessity for me and my crippled friend to make progress.
There you have it... a sample of the Kimberley Seniors survey. Obviously, seniors in Kimberley need to have a better say in how things are done in town. They need a better deal with things like transportation and access to Health Care. We need to work with them to better refine affordable access to basic transportation.
Kimberley's Seniors built this town - they deserve better...much better!!
Darryl Oakley
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