Interim Report - Seniors' Task Force

The Community and Neighbourhood Services Committee recommends the adoption of the following report (December 15, 1998) from Councillor Anne Johnston, Chair, Seniors' Task Force:

Purpose:

To provide City Council with information on the work to date of the Seniors' Task Force and share some initial information from the 39 public consultations held in October and November1998. The Task Force held its first meeting in May 1998 and is requesting an extension of the mandate to Spring 1999.

Funding Implications:

There are no funding implications at this time.

Recommendations:

It is recommended that:

(1)City Council record the change of name for the task force from "Task Force to Develop a Strategy for Issues of Concern to the Elderly" to the "Seniors' Task Force";

(2)City Council approve the extension of the time frame for completion of work undertaken by the Seniors' Task Force to Spring, 1999;

(3)City Council receive the attached interim report of the Seniors' Task Force for information; and

(4)the appropriate City officials be authorized and directed to take the necessary action to give effect thereto.

Background:

City Council established a Seniors' Task Force in January 1998 to identify emerging needs of seniors and develop a seniors' strategy to address priority issues, develop structure to advise City Council on issues affecting seniors, value the involvement of seniors and identify a role for the City in the International Year of Older Persons 1999.

Comments:

The Seniors' Task Force began its work during a time of social and political change and therefore held a broad community consultation with seniors. The consultation model used was a facilitated workshop. This model was suited to the questions asked, was non-threatening and allowed for both the loud and soft voices to be heard. The Task Force heard from 1,064 seniors and involved approximately 100 community organizations and associations as partners. Five issues were identified as the top key themes throughout the City. They are: Access to Information, Health, Transportation, Housing, and Services to Seniors. Seniors also supported a citizen participation model to advise Council on seniors' issues and submitted ideas for the International Year of Older Persons. The attached report provides further information.

Conclusions:

The Task Force has concluded to date that seniors wish to participate fully in the issues which affect their lives and communities. They see a role for local government acting as an advocate on issues of health and housing to other levels of government and wish to have a voice in recommendations that can be implemented locally in the present political and economic climate.

Action Plan - Interim Report to Final Report:

(a)meetings with members of task force to draft final recommendations;

(b)draft recommendations to staff for comment - March 1999;

(c)draft recommendations to individuals, associations and agencies through third issue of the Seniors' Task Force News - April 1999; and

(d)final report to City Council, Spring 1999.

Contact Name:

Priscilla Cranley

Healthy City Office

Tel: 392-0372

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Interim Report - Seniors' Task Force

Recommendations:

(1)That City Council record the change of name for the task force from "Task Force to Develop a Strategy for Issues of Concern to the Elderly" to "The Seniors' Task Force."

(2)That City Council approve the extension of the time frame for completion of work undertaken by the Seniors' Task Force to Spring, 1999.

(3)That City Council receive the attached interim report of the Seniors' Task Force for information.

(4)That the appropriate City officials be authorized and directed to take the necessary action to give effect thereto.

Background:

In January 1998, in response to recommendations of the Toronto Transition Team Report, "New City New Directions", City Council established a Task Force to Develop a Strategy for Issues of Concern to the Elderly.

The Task Force was mandated by City Council to:

"identify emerging needs of senior residents in the City of Toronto and to develop a seniors' strategy to address priority issue areas, which are to:

-develop structures to advise City Council on issues affecting seniors and to involve seniors in this process;

-ensure that policies, programs and services developed and delivered by the municipality meet the needs of seniors;

-value the involvement of seniors in the life of the City;

-identify a role for the City in the International Year of Older Persons - 1999; and

-provide a process for rationalization of all previous municipal seniors' committees."

The Terms of Reference were adopted by City Council in March 1998.

The Task Force consists of 25 members, seven are City Councillors and 18 members are senior citizens representing various geographic areas of the new City. They are active in seniors' organizations and associations, with an ability to reflect their own experience and the views of their members, as well as an ability to consult others within their community.

Seniors Profile - Who Are We Talking About?

The following information will provide some context and scope for the current population of seniors in Toronto:

-There were approximately 319,800 people over the age of 65 in Toronto in 1996. A recent Statistics Canada update (1997) estimates this group has increased to 340,000.

-The City's population is aging. While the total population increased by 14 percent over the last 25 years, seniors (65+) increased by 87 percent over the same time period. The proportion of the total population that are seniors has also increased. In 1971, 8 percent of the population was over 65. By 1996, 13 percent of the populations was over 65.

-15 percent of seniors (65+) do not have knowledge of either English or French. This is higher than the overall population with 8 percent not knowing either official language.

-31 percent of seniors speak a language other than English or French at home. In the overall population, 24 percent speak a non-official language at home.

-The median income for seniors 65+ (single) is $16,400.00 (1995).

Outreach - How We Did It and Who We Spoke To:

The Task Force embarked on its work in the time of social and political change. These changes have been rapid and wide ranging and directly affect daily lives of seniors. Members expressed concern around loss of familiar services and some real concern about continued access to needed services and community-based programs.

The Task Force decided to hold public consultations in places where seniors gather in communities all over the new city. The process was a facilitated workshop model at which participants were asked to work first individually, then with a small group and then as a large group. Members decided to ask:

-What are the issues and priorities for seniors in the new City of Toronto?

-What citizen participation models to advise City Council on seniors' issues should be adopted?

-Suggestions on ways to mark 1999 as the International Year for Older Persons in Toronto.

Consultations:

-We held 39 consultations with seniors, representatives of senior organizations and associations and representatives of agencies which serve seniors.

-We asked staff whose mandate includes seniors issues to provide input on their issues and priorities.

-We spoke to over 1,000 seniors during these workshop consultations.

-We held workshops in many languages simultaneously, including Chinese, Italian, Korean, Portuguese, Spanish and Tamil.

-We had dedicated phone lines available, some in local communities, as well as a two-day staffed telephone line provided by Access Toronto using the ATT language line. We also had a fax, e-mail and a mailing address for those who did not come to a consultation.

The Task Force produced two newsletters. The Seniors' Task Force NEWS was co-edited by citizen volunteers, and supported by staff. The main purpose of this newsletter was to let the public know about this new Task Force and circulate information on the public consultation schedule. We printed 13,400 copies of each newsletter which were distributed to interested individuals. We also had bulk copies in all of the public libraries, parks and recreation centres, civic centres, and City Councillors' offices. Copies were also sent to staff and mailed to agencies that serve seniors, including The Metropolitan Toronto Housing Company Ltd. residential buildings.

A number of community newspapers published information about the Task Force and the consultation schedule. As well, we had coverage from television programs and had announcements on dates and locations for the consultations on a local 55+ radio station.

What We Heard:

"A wide consultation like this with seniors has never happened before - it's a real opportunity."

We received a lot of input, once seniors got talking they really shared. Seniors expressed concerns about things that could be improved. However, they also expressed their experience about the many positive programs, community supports and benefits they had been able to access and contribute to developing. During this amalgamation process, many seniors who spoke with us expressed their concern about the loss of local services and long term community feeling.

The following are the five top issue areas identified consistently:

(I)Access to Information:

"Seniors are not aware of what services, resources and programs are out there. How do seniors find out about these?"

It became clear that information during this time of change regarding who and how services to seniors are delivered is a problem. Consistent, clear information is needed. Many seniors expressed difficulty in accessing information in English, however seniors who need information in languages other than English face greater difficulty.

Of particular concern was the availability of information for seniors in the following areas:

-housing;

-services - a range from health to home repair;

-educational opportunities;

-tenants' rights;

-property tax;

-government structure;

-City Council's action/discussion on seniors' issues;

-voting; and

-opportunities to volunteer/contribute.

Information should be senior friendly, with large clear type and accessible by the hard of hearing. It should be available in many languages. Information should be co-ordinated to reflect services delivered by local government, by agencies and institutions, in seniors centres and identify access points to other levels of government. Information should be produced regularly by an identified source. Finally, seniors would like to speak to a real person and suggest a "seniors' hot line."

(II)Health and Health Services:

"It's a revolving door (hospitals) you go to emergency, wait for hours, are sent home with some pills, to a situation where adequate home care is either too expensive or unavailable and you end up back in the emergency ward in short time."

Seniors expressed many of the same concerns that others living in Toronto have shared, including hospital closures, lack of beds both for long term care and acute care, long waits in emergency wards, lack of staff, especially skilled nursing staff and a general perception that health services are declining and the quality is being questioned. They also expressed concern about the Community Care Access Centres and the recent changes in the delivery of home care. There is concern that the community-based long term care system is not working effectively to ensure that individuals receive the care they need.

Of particular concern to seniors are:

-protect community and public health programs that keep seniors well and active particularly in the area of injury prevention, fitness, social and nutrition;

-accessible and affordable dental care, eye glasses and hearing aids;

-health care delivery in mother tongue both in hospitals and community;

-free needles for seniors who are diabetic - like the needle exchange for drug users;

-lack or high cost of home care;

-accountability for services via CCAC after hospital discharge;

-appropriate training for home care workers;

-workers are needed who speak languages other than English; and

-support for caregivers - both funding and a relief system.

(III) Transportation:

"Seniors need public transportation that meets our needs. We need to get to the activities, events and programs that help keep us well both physically and mentally. We want to be involved in the life of the City".

Seniors express support for the TTC and Wheeltrans. They are vital to seniors. The following reflect suggestions and concerns:

Fares:

-fares for seniors should not be raised; and

-great concern about the elimination of reduced fares for seniors.

Operations:

-more benches needed near bus shelters and stops;

-the steps of the buses and streetcars are too high and present difficulty to seniors;

-buses need to pull closer to the curb;

-drivers need to consider that seniors may need more time to board and find a secure spot;

-need working escalators in subway stations as well as elevators; and

-drivers should enforce the courtesy seating section.

Wheeltrans:

-many seniors who need wheeltrans do not meet the present criteria;

-seniors cannot afford to get around in taxis; and

-long waits and poor scheduling.

"This service (TTC) is far from perfect, a lot needs to be changed, but I hate to complain, because it is the only way I can get around."

(IV) Housing:

"Seniors need a range of affordable housing choices, co-ops, shared, group living and apartments."

Housing concerns, like health issues are common to the population as a whole. Several themes emerged during the discussions. Seniors living in their own homes had concerns about property taxes and fees for service. Seniors living in public housing expressed concerns about privatization, security and maintenance. Seniors that may be leaving the family home expressed concerns about affordability of rental units and the wish to stay within their community. The following comments reflect housing issues of specific concern to seniors:

-loss of rent control;

-threat of privatisation of public housing for seniors;

-long waiting lists;

-need for seniors' buildings that are affordable and that reflect seniors' needs;

-high property taxes;

-lack of home repair programs;

-a seniors' housing advocate;

-affordable housing with good maintenance and security;

-lack of affordable choices in their own community; and

-increase of homelessness for all people but noting the increased numbers of seniors in that population.

"Will I have to move from my house, when and where?"

(V)Services:

"Services to seniors should be a value, a principle by which the City operates."

Seniors expressed concern about loss of services due to amalgamation. Services that are delivered both by local government and through senior centres and agencies are important.

Concerns include:

-user fees;

-grant funding to seniors' organizations;

-loss of programs that have been developed by the community and delivered locally;

-loss or high cost of recreation programs ;

-better snow removal services;

-inequality of City-wide recreation fees;

-start up indoor bocce;

-more communication between recreation centres;

-fear that community centres will be privatized;

-proper sound equipment at public meetings;

-access to interpreters; and

-loss of local services and long term community feeling.

Additional issue areas:

-safety;

-financial/economic concerns;

-access/mobility;

-ageism/equality;

-elder abuse;

-isolation;

-law enforcement;

-traffic/pedestrian concerns;

-recognition of seniors as contributors; and

-Beat the Heat/Out of the Cold.

Citizen Participation Model - A Seniors' Voice:

"We need a voice, some voices who can advocate for seniors, we need grey power."

"Who represents seniors, who will listen, who will we contact?"

The call for a seniors' committee or group was identified consistently in the consultations. Seniors wish to have input into local government, service delivery mechanisms which they use and policy decisions which affect their lives. Two models are being discussed; a seniors' committee recognized by City Council that has a budget and staff support and an independent seniors' organization that represents the views of seniors across the City. The Task Force will not limit the discussion to these two models.

Some suggestions include:

-a newsletter to keep seniors informed and updated and seniors wish to be involved in the project;

-a seniors' advocate;

-any group should reflect the cultural and ethno-racial diversity of the City;

-the group should have a sub-committee of representatives of agencies that serve seniors;

-town hall meetings with seniors and Councillors twice a year;

-meetings should also be held in the community not just city hall;

-important to have Councillors as members of the committee;

-consider a model like the Association of Women Electors; and

-need a co-ordinated effort involving seniors to address our issues.

"Seniors from ethnic minorities have no voice right now and our concerns are not being addressed".

International Year of Older Persons (IYOP):

The United Nations has designated 1999 as the International Year of Older Persons with the theme "a society for all ages." It is timely that the Seniors' Task Force final report will be on the City Council agenda in this international year. The report outlining recommendations to address issues and priorities raised by seniors will become a part of a legacy piece for all of us to work together to build a society for all ages.

The following suggestions for IYOP came from the community consultations:

-implement solutions for issues identified by seniors in 1999;

-develop some intergenerational programs or meetings;

-working with community centres to organize events across the City;

-exhibitions of seniors' accomplishments at the CNE;

-all seniors would be welcome to join and participate in the Native Elders Conference held at the Native Canadian Centre each spring;

-highlight seniors' sports;

-hold line dancing and square dancing competitions;

-tree dedication program to honour senior volunteers; and

-statue reflecting a senior passing on wisdom to children.

The Seniors' Task Force held an event to mark the global launch on October 1, 1998, of the International Year of Older Persons. The launch was hosted by Mayor Lastman and CouncillorJohnston. Invited guests included The Honourable Cam Jackson, Minister for Long Term Care and Seniors' Issues, as well as the Ontario representative for the IYOP federal organizing committee, Ms. Lois Neely, former chair of the Toronto Mayor's Committee on Aging. Seniors' organizations provided all the entertainment as well as demonstrations of fitness, line dancing, bocce and lawn bowling. Departments, seniors' organizations, the local UN association and agencies serving seniors had information tables.

The final report of the Seniors' Task Force will be recommending both a legacy project and celebration ideas.

Next Steps:

-detailed analysis of information;

-drafting of recommendations;

-draft recommendations to staff for comment;

-newsletter to report back on draft recommendations to individuals, associations, agencies; and

-final report to City Council by Spring 1999.

"On behalf of the Seniors who attended the consultation meetings, we would like to thank you for allowing us to voice our concerns and issues with the City of Toronto. Seniors were so delighted to have been asked to voice an opinion in a public forum such as the one that was conducted."

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Appendix A

Membership of the Seniors' Task Force

Chair:

Councillor Anne Johnston

Council Members:

Councillor Lorenzo Berardinetti (Scarborough City Centre)

Councillor Elizabeth Brown (Rexdale-Thistletown)

Councillor Joanne Flint (North York Centre South)

Councillor Ron Moeser (Scarborough Highland Creek)

Councillor Michael Prue (East York)

Councillor Bill Saundercook (York-Humber)

Citizen Members:

Edna Beange

Hugh Betts

Ruth Brown

Bill Campbell

Margaret Campbell

Rosa Chan

Toni Ciccarelli

Walter Stuart Culbertson

Stewart Hill

Boyd Hipfner

George Johnson

Dorothy MacKinnon

Beverly McClelland

Bill Nemerson

Joan Osler

Marlene Scorrano

Iria Vieira

Bill Wilson

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Councillor Anne Johnston, Chair, Seniors' Task Force, appeared before the Community and Neighbourhood Services Committee in connection with the foregoing matter.