The majority of seniors – including those living on the Semiahmoo Peninsula – are self-sufficient financially and will not ever need to reside in a care home.
The points, B.C. seniors advocate Isobel Mackenzie told a crowd of 100-plus at White Rock Community Centre Wednesday, are among facts that dispel the "silver tsunami" myth: the prevalent fear that the growing senior population is threatening to drain the province's future resources.
While seniors are projected to comprise 24 per cent of the population by 2031 – up from 17 per cent today – that fear, she said, is unfounded.
"When you actually go and look at the facts, instead of provocative headlines… it's a very, very different picture," Mackenzie told the crowd gathered at the event organized by CARP and the Semiahmoo Seniors Planning Table – one of three local opportunities Wednesday for residents to learn about, and access, provincial resources.
The shift, she added, is slow, and there is time for B.C. to prepare. Other world jurisdictions have reached the milestone, "and their sky has not fallen."
"Seniors, for the most part, are taking care of themselves and they're taking care of themselves on their own dime," Mackenzie said.
Noting her own parents live in South Surrey, Mackenzie outlined the role of her office – which was established just two years ago – and shared statistics with attendees.
Those of concern to Mackenzie include that nine per cent of B.C.'s population over the age of 75 cannot hold a conversation in English, and that health records of seniors in residential care show 33 per cent are on anti-psychotic medication.
The latter is concerning, Mackenzie said, because those same records indicate only four per cent of those on the medication have a diagnosed condition that would require the drug.
"It is rare… and it should be temporary measure," she said. "These numbers are not showing rare or temporary."
Other concerns Mackenzie highlighted included the prevalence of caregiver distress; a need to consider different needs in residential care; increasing awareness of the different resources available to seniors; and a need to accept how seniors choose to live, including a choice to live at risk.
"We do a very, very good job when people are compliant with what we think they should do," Mackenzie said. "But when you have a different idea of what you want to do, it doesn't run so smoothly, because we're intolerant of what you think you can do."
Questions to Mackenzie included what is being done to address social isolation; and, what does the future hold for those not paying into a private pension.
Asked if she could advocate for veterans' benefits to be extended to include those who served outside of the First and Second World Wars and Korean war, Mackenzie said she wasn't aware that wasn't the case, and pledged to look into it.
She was blunt when asked what power she had to effect change.
"There's nothing in the legislation that says they have to do what I say," she said. "No elected government is going to give unelected people the power to tell them what to do."
At the same time, "I think they are listening."
Attendees who spoke to Peace Arch News after the presentation were appreciative of the information shared.
"Fantastic," said Marlene Taylor, 83, who came out with neighbour Theresa Jacobsen, also 83.
"Pretty well what we were looking for."
Jacobsen said it was good to learn the seniors office is in place to help.
"The comfort of knowing if we have to, it's there," she said.
An earlier presentation by B.C. ombudsperson Jay Chalke was similarly well-received.
Chalke spoke – to a decidedly smaller crowd of five – at the South Surrey Arts & Recreation Centre, detailing the history of the ombudsperson's office and its role of providing independent and impartial oversight for public authorities across the province.
It's about administrative fairness, he said, and speaking up "when public bodies decline to make the changes we recommend."
Chalke said while many public bodies, such as the Okanagan-Kootenay Sterile Insect Release Board, are rarely the subject of concern, there is one that comprises the bulk of complaints heard at his office – the Ministry of Development and Social Innovation. That reality, he said, is a product of the impact decisions made by that ministry have; they affect the most vulnerable.
"Individuals who require support from the state have the most necessary connection with government," Chalke told PAN.
"The decisions have a major impact."
Issues with local government and health authorities, on the other hand, each comprise about seven per cent of complaints.
Chalke said citizens with concerns are expected to take reasonable steps to resolve their issues with the public body directly before filing a complaint with the Office of the Ombudsperson.
Public bodies, he said, are encouraged to examine their complaint-resolution process – including ensuring timely responses and an appropriate point of contact – and be open to receiving new information that could change the decision that is causing angst.
Chalke said approximately 600 of 2,000 complaints received annually are assessed to merit a full investigation, and triaged.
He said more public bodies would do well to take advantage of B.C.'s decade-old Apology Act, which protects against such a statement being deemed an admission of fault or liability.
A sincere apology can go a long well to resolving disputes, he said.
Also Wednesday, Office of the Ombudsperson staff held a day-long mobile clinic to speak with residents who feel they've been treated unfairly by a public body. That clinic – described as "booked solid" – was the busiest day for staff, who also held clinics in Surrey and Delta.