Giving Seniors the Care they Deserve

Care for Seniors

  • I have recently been involved in looking for services for seniors in Fort Erie and the Niagara Region. To find the information regarding the services that are provided was difficult and cumbersome and then came the challenge, would our senior family member even qualify for assistance.    
  • As we are well aware, there are many initiatives that have been undertaken to address the ever increasing senior population and the services that are required. The Federal Government has a new portfolio, the Province had made it a priority and the Niagara Region has touted that they are looking after the services and have a plan.  This is all well and good that there are studies being done and that the many different organizations are getting together to address the issues. However, what exactly is being done? Is it sustainable and are the services being filtered down to the public ? Are their needs being taken care of?  
  •  In a report prepared by Deloitte Canada tabled at Niagara Regional Council in 2016, it stated that there were currently 3,493 long term beds for the Region. The report further stated that there will be a demand of 10,000 beds by 2041.
  •  In 2016 the Provincial Government mandated that a new facility be built to replace the ageing Gilmore Lodge, here in Fort Erie. With the investment made by the Town of Fort Erie to help secure the campus style facility, construction has begun on the long term care facility that is so desperately needed. The new Gilmore Lodge is suppose to be a place for adult day care, to have a doctor on staff and other services readily available to the residents of the facility. I applaud the fact that the facility is being built but it still falls short of the required needs.  So many are trying to find help and services but are met with obstacles and challenges and double talk by administrators. 
  • I have seen what is happening and it sickens me to know that our governments are so ill prepared. I want to change this!   
  •    The Town of Fort Erie has many service organizations and non-profit groups that are trying to make a difference in Fort Erie. Having served on the Town of Fort Erie Community Gaming and Development Corporation for the last 12 years I would like to make a request to the many organizations to combine our efforts in order to provide assistance to our seniors. I would like to see an addition to the planned Gilmore Lodge, a place where seniors and caregivers can go to speak to knowledgeable individuals about their concerns be it personal care, respite relief or affordable housing. 
  • There is a large amount of money that comes into our community through the proceeds of gaming, I will advocate for the pooling of financial resources to fund this project and not ask the over taxed residents to do this. I will request  assistance from you, the residents of Fort Erie, to work as trained volunteers to help direct and guide people in need. The time to deal with these issues in now,
  •  I will meet these challenges head on as I have always done during my former career as member of the RCMP.      
  • I have had the opportunity and the privilege to speak to many residents in Fort Erie about seniors issues. The vast majority know someone who has gone through the challenges or is going through them themselves to find help and assistance. I spoke to an individual who shared a story with me; he is a senior who lives at home alone and was having difficulties due to his illness. He attempted to contact several agencies for help and got the proverbial, “ you need to call this other agency” or “we can't help you but try this agency”. Through perseverance he was able to find someone to come to the house and assess his needs and what he thought was to give him some help. Unfortunately, he was still mobile and had access to transportation so he was turned down and advised that the agency could not help him. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE!!! This is not the only story that has been relayed to me, there are many more. 
  • The people of Fort Erie are not being heard, no one is taking the time to listen. The system that everyone believes is there to help them when they get older and need the assistance isn't and you are left to try and fend for yourself.  To the residents of Fort Erie, I AM LISTENING, I will continue to listen to you and advocate for what is right. I will ask the questions that no one wants to ask, I will answer your calls and sit with you to discuss your concerns. 
  • I promise to serve the residents of Fort Erie with Honesty, Integrity and Transparency.   

Learn More

  •   the need for easy access to information
  • the Region is NOT prepared for the influx of seniors in the coming years
  • help is needed now, seniors need resources to assist in their day to day struggles