Vancouver City Council

REPORT TO COUNCIL

SPECIAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON SENIORS

MAY 25, 2001

INFORMATION

CC File No.: 3057-1
RTS No.: 2108

Council: June 12, 2001

1. Annual Report

The Special Advisory Committee on Seniors was created by a resolution of Vancouver City Council on July 23, 1983. A list of the current members is attached as an Appendix.

The Committee's mandates are to contribute to the well-being of the older citizens of Vancouver and to endeavour to improve their quality of life. The Committee
· advises Council on issues of concern to seniors,
· acts as a means of communication or liaison between Council, other Council-appointed bodies and other groups;
· provides support to groups endeavouring to initiate and develop projects assisting seniors,
· disseminates pertinent information obtained and evaluated by Committee members to appropriate agencies and groups throughout the City.

This annual report covers the year 2000.

Guest Presenters

Names of Presenters	Subject
Mr. Bell, of Gohberof, Polizer, Bell, Lyon Architects	Seniors and Correctional Housing 1304-1308 Seymour Street
Chuck Brook, Consultant	Seniors Housing Project 1175 Broughton Street
Yuri Cvitkovich, Senior Summit Transportation Task Group	Transportation for Seniors
Anne Kloppenborg, Social Planning	Sidewalk and pedestrian safety
Stuart Lyon, Gohberof, Polizer, Bell, Lyon Architects	Seniors and Correctional Housing 1304-1308 Seymour Street
Patrick McGowan, Health Canada	Quality of Life for Urban Seniors
Doug Purdy, Doug Purdy & Associates	Seniors and Correctional Housing 1304-1308 Seymour Street
Rene Rose, Concert Properties	The Ridge (Congregate Housing) 2799 Yew Street
Heike Roth, Planner	Congregate Housing Guidelines
Kirsten Sigerson, Correctional Services Canada	Seniors and Correctional Housing 1304-1308 Seymour Street
Thomas Wolfe, Studio One Architects	Seniors Housing Project 1175 Broughton Street
Jim Wong, Studio One Architects	Seniors Housing Project 1175 Broughton Street

Significant Activities
· Attended meeting on affordable supportive seniors housing
· Attended public meetings on community transportation
· Liaised with BC Housing
· Liaised with SAC on Disability Issues to present united front on areas of mutual concern
· Liaised with Vancouver Housing Centre
· Liaised with Vancouver/Richmond Health Board
· Liaised with BC Medical Association
· Participated in ICBC Seniors Advisory Committee
· Participated in TransLink Citizens Advisory Panel
· Participated in Transportation forum, "Getting Out - Getting About" sponsored by The West side Seniors Action Network
· Reviewed and discussed draft congregate housing guidelines with City staff.
· Supported density exclusions for developers in return for provision of amenities and of meeting and recreational facilities

Significant Topics Considered
· Health

- Nutrition education for seniors and caregivers
- Provincial restrictions on use of health care facility space
- Socialization as a means to alleviate problems arising from isolation and depression

· Housing

- Accommodation for the destitute
- Affordability of senior housing proposals
- Appropriate suite size for senior housing

- Congregate Housing Guidelines

- Consumer protection under Residential Act
- New definitions of licensed care
- Non-licensed assisted living (e.g., Simon Fraser Health Region)
- Single resident occupancy hotels
- Supportive living concepts
- Zoning policy
- 1175 Broughton Street, congregate housing proposal
- 1304-08 Seymour Street, joint occupancy of seniors and parolees
- 2799 Yew Street, The Ridge, congregate housing proposal · Sidewalk and pedestrian safety

· Transportation

- Barriers making use by seniors difficult
- Electric wheelchairs and scooters
- Federal Gas Tax revenue allocation
- HandyDART service for seniors
- Making transit user-friendly for seniors
- TransLink policies and funding options
- Transportation as an element in the physical and mental well-being of seniors

Future Directions
The Committee expects to pursue the following issues and areas of interest to seniors during the year 2001, subject to any direction which Council chooses to provide:
· Ensure architects, designers and developers incorporate a full range of "aging in place" features into their buildings, and heighten their awareness of the value of such features to the community at large.
· Sidewalk safety
· Continue efforts to expand handyDART service for all who need it
· Participate in Downtown Transportation Plan
· Continue to work with City staff on Congregate Housing guidelines
· Health-related issues for seniors, especially those in care facilities
· Encourage more affordable supportive (i.e., congregate) housing projects for seniors

"Karl Taussig" "Mary Bosze"
Co-Chair Co-Chair

CITY MANAGER'S COMMENTS

The Special Advisory Committee on Seniors undertook significant activities throughout the 2000 term and are to be acknowledged for their ongoing dedication and hard work.

* * * * *

APPENDIX

Year 2000 Members of the Special Advisory Committee on Seniors

Mary Bosze, Co-Chair
Patricia Barrett
Agnes Campbell
Bruce Chown, Vice-Chair/Chair of Transportation Subcommittee
Jacqueline Coinner
Wyn Gladman
Sophie King
Harry Lazar
Beatrice Leinbach
Josephine Mallek
Simon Oosterhuis
James Pau
Joseph Polisky
Cynthia Ramsay, Chair of Health Subcommittee
Carol Smith
Karl Taussig, Co-Chair
Beverley Thomas
Gillian Watson-Donald, Chair of Housing Subcommittee
Anna Welbourn
Miriam Yu
Carmen Zajac

Council Liaison

Councillor Sandy McCormick

Comments or questions? Send us e-mail at info@city.vancouver.bc.ca
© 2002 City of Vancouver