麻豆传媒AV

At the last convention of SSAI held in Saskatoon it was decided to hand over the responsibility of representing its members to Saskatchewan Seniors Mechanism. The delegates who attended the convention agreed the voices of its 6,000 members might not be heard, but the voices of over 100,000 seniors would be heard more clearly.

As yet the rewards for that thinking have not been forthcoming, but SSM will need some time to make sure they put forward a concerted plan to voice the concerns for all seniors within the province.

While SSAI is concerned with the changing faces of present day seniors and their concerns, it is more concerned with the futures of seniors. As the cost of living continues to rise and affect the contents of our purses, a fact emerges showing fewer and fewer seniors are going to be able to make it from one month to another. More and more of them will be lining up at the food banks and at share-a-meal establishments, and that's only in urban Saskatchewan. In small town Saskatchewan that kind of help really does not exist, so what indeed happens to them? The question then arises , why should seniors be dependent on food banks and other charities to sustain them in their "golden years?" The generation that worked hard all their lives, raised their families and paid their taxes seem to be now paying the price for just growing old. The shame rests squarely on the shoulders of the present generation of politicians and bureaucrats, who have forgotten the big debt they owe to all of the pioneers of this country.

Pensions are just not a federal concern, the provincial government has to become more determined to help its seniors. Housing remains on the list of concerns and the only answers seem to come from private developers who are seemingly only interested in the bottom line and their responsibility to shareholders because the homes they do construct are not affordable or accessible. Health care continues to present a problem especially in rural areas where doctors and health professionals are loathe to take up permanent residence, and who can blame them? With the closing down of schools and hospitals this was just a crisis waiting to happen. The stream of patients going down the road from walk-in clinics or doctors' offices to larger urban hospitals who are awaiting diagnosis or treatment is becoming a river.

One problem that seems to be occupying more and more of the news these days is the shameful treatment of veterans. Having represented Canada in the face of bullets, shells and mines in so many diverse corners of the world and being so badly hurt in both mind and body, they come home requiring help only to find the door to that help literally shut in their faces. Having to listen to the lame brain reasons for the closure of Veterans' Affairs offices across the country would be hilarious, if it wasn't so serious. The reason given is akin to saying the more we close grocery stores the more food will be available for everyone. Just how stupid do these people think we are? The Royal Canadian Legion should refuse to allow its members to parade in front of government officials in Ottawa on Nov. 11 until those same officials have rectified the situation that is affecting all veterans and their families.

Convention is looming on the horizon and the time for resolutions is fast. If you feel you have some worries, some problems or even some differences of opinion, then let SSAI hear about them in the form of a resolution forwarded to the president or the secretary of SSAI. They will ensure they come to convention for discussion. All resolutions should be printed or typed as some of our handwriting is not as good as we think and don't forget to add a contact name and address just in case there are any questions.

No matter how much more difficult it is now to keep healthy continue to try and above all stay active. Support your local senior center, that's what it's there for. Being a senior can be difficult at times but the alternative is not that great, either.

A seniors' center is a safe place and area where older people can come together to play, socialize and rejuvenate in mind, body and spirit. This is exactly the same philosophy as that given by the government to cover the Community Rink Affordability Grant. Coincidence or what?