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Editorial: Time to make the Tri-Cities elder-friendly

There's a need to consider senior mobility, health, resources, dementia issues when planning for cities
Senior
City planning should be done with a view to making neighbourhoods safer and more comfortable for elderly people.

Municipal elections are tomorrow (Saturday) and candidates are stumping for votes to the last minute.

But if you get a chance to talk to one of them, ask what they are doing to promote a dementia and elder-friendly city.

Amidst all the clamour about affordable housing, lower taxes and more transparency, little has been said about the Tri-Cities’ changing demographic and the need to provide senior-friendly streets, housing and recreation for those who lack mobility, a drivers’ license, financial resources and terrific good health to take advantage of things already in place.

What’s more, the province needs a Silver Alert system to quickly alert authorities, neighbourhoods and emergency responders in the event someone with dementia goes missing. Local politicians could be advocating for this.

When you vote tomorrow, make sure you vote for someone who understands the needs of elderly people and will work for them.

Don’t forget, you will be an elder some day. Don’t you want your city to accommodate you?