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April 1, 2021
Dear friends and neighbours,
You are invited to attend my upcoming virtual MP Brunch Connections on “What does it take to Age in Place?” on Friday, April 9th at 11am with guest speaker Ms. Isobel Mackenzie, BC’s Seniors’ Advocate.
The past year of the COVID 19 pandemic has had a devastating impact on seniors in congregate living settings, and really shone a spotlight on how some facilities have failed Canada’s most vulnerable elders in this emergency. Governments and citizens have stepped up to provide essential support to prevent further tragedies.
But seniors living in long term care facilities make up only 15% of Canadians age 85 or older. The rest are living in the community – on their own, with partners, family or friends, in retirement homes, or in their own special arrangements.
Thankfully Canadians are living longer lives. The framework for helping older Canadians receive the care and support they need was established many decades ago and is no longer adequate. That’s why in 2017 the federal government budget included a 10-year $11 billion transfer to the provinces and territories for home care and mental health initiatives. Now, communities, business, the charitable sector, and various levels of government must collaborate to ensure today’s Canadians can age-in-place safely, as long as they wish.
MP Brunch Connections is happy to have Isobel Mackenzie back in Vancouver Quadra for a return engagement. Since becoming BC’s first Seniors Advocate in 2014 (the first in Canada), Ms. Mackenzie has released numerous publications on a range of services and issues relevant to seniors and those who care for them. She has over 20 years’ experience working with seniors in home care, licensed care, community services and volunteer services. Previously, Isobel led B.C.’s largest not-for-profit agency, serving over 6,000 seniors annually. In this work, she led the implementation of a new model of dementia care that has become a national best practice, and led the first safety accreditation for homecare workers, among many other accomplishments. Isobel has been widely recognized for her work, and was named B.C. CEO of the Year for the not-for-profit sector and nominated as a Provincial Health Care Hero.
Join us in a discussion, based on Isobel Mackenzie’s wide-ranging knowledge and understanding of how to plan successfully to age in place, and how to help others – spouse, parent, family member, or friend – do the same.
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Welcome to our 10th virtual MP Brunch - continuing the tradition of bringing community members together, despite the pandemic keeping us apart.
Details: Friday, April 9th, 2021 from 11 am to noon (you can sign on after 10:50am)
How to connect: We will connect through the online Zoom platform, so if you have not already done so, download the Zoom app onto your laptop or smartphone. Or, you can participate by dialing in by phone. The Zoom link and dial-in number will be provided once you register for the event.
Register at this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_po215lzMQTOozahKToYtSQ
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
If you have difficulty registering, please call 604-664-9220.
Warmly,
The Hon. Joyce Murray, P.C., M.P.
Member of Parliament for Vancouver Quadra
Minister of Digital Government
P.S. Do you know someone who might like to receive my email updates? They can go to www.joycemurray.ca and click the "Get Updates" button to be added to my email list.
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