The political campaign cliché used to be a photo of a candidate kissing a baby. Now it might as well be one of a politician hugging a senior citizen.
Yes, you know it's campaign time when the Liberals roll out promises to senior citizens.
Premier Christy Clark has rolled out a new list of promises for seniors in B.C. via Health Minister Mike de Jong following a hefty report from B.C.'s ombudsperson on how government has failed the province's senior citizens.
Ombudsperson Kim Carter's 448-page report, The Best of Care: Getting it Right for Seniors in British Columbia includes 176 recommendations. The report comes after a three-year investigation into the care of seniors in B.C.
Of course there are the heart rending stories of married senior couples having to be housed in separate facilities, seniors billed beyond their means, and seniors who are simply not getting the care they need in nursing homes. Some of these cases are due to a lack of funding and resources, while others are due to a bureaucratic maze of conflicting regulations and authorities.
But whatever the reason for the neglect, what seniors need are not more promises but concrete action.
One of de Jong's promises deserves, at first blush, kudos.
The minister says an independent seniors' advocate will be appointed.
That is a hopeful sign. A seniors' advocate, if as good as the current represen-tative for children and youth, could at least keep the spotlight on seniors' issues in between election seasons.
Will it all add up to a more transparent, responsive and compassionate environment for senior citizens? Promises have been made and broken before, but we'd like to believe that this time, with Kim Carter's blueprint for change, government will wade in and really fix the system.
After all, we're all going to need it sooner or later.
