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Strong support for senior housing

The Elkford Housing Society hopes to have senior designated housing available within two years.
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Consultant Phoebe Scotland presents the results of the Elkford Senior Housing Survey at the Elkford Community Conference Centre on June 18. Kimberley Vlasic/The Free Press

The Elkford Housing Society hopes to have senior designated housing available within the next two years after a survey found strong support for the idea.

The society was formed in January in response to a lack of senior housing in Elkford, where one third of the population is over the age of 50.

Earlier this year, the EHS hired consultant Phoebe Scotland to conduct a community-wide survey that would assess issues related to affordability and availability of senior housing in Elkford, as well as housing needs and preferences.

On June 18, Scotland presented the results of the Elkford Senior Housing Survey to about 40 people gathered at the Elkford Community Conference Centre.

She identified that “aging in place” was popular among Canadian seniors and housing that facilitated independence and provided opportunities for social interactions was associated with improved quality of life, including physical health benefits.

A total of 185 people responded to the survey, 82 per cent of whom were over the age of 50, representing 16.8 per cent of Elkford residents in that age group.

Scotland said this was considered a good response and reasonably accurate.

She reported that approximately three-quarters of respondents were planning to live in Elkford during retirement with the majority indicating that they would choose senior designated housing if available.

Thirty-three people wanted to move into senior housing in the next five years.

Based on the survey results, Scotland recommended the EHS move forward with attempting to secure funding for senior housing in Elkford.

“The overwhelming majority, 91 per cent of respondents, indicated that senior housing is needed in Elkford, with 71 per cent of respondents rating it as ‘very important’,” she said.

“Furthermore, 75 per cent of respondents indicated that they intend to live in Elkford during retirement and 60 per cent respondents, representing at least 103 individuals, indicated that they would want to live in senior housing.”

Scotland said the survey showed support for a senior housing development with 30-50 units, which were a mix of fixed low rent rates and subsidized housing with the potential future direction of included assisted living units.

Units should be fully accessible and include safety features, with eligibility and housing rules to be informed by the survey data.

The development should be in close proximity to amenities such as shopping, banking, recreation and medical services, and offer transportation, as well as social and recreational opportunities.

It should also allow for enhanced services as they become feasible, such as a palliative care suite, site for assisted bathing and respite or guest suite.

At the June 18 meeting, EHS chair Duncan McDonald said the society had already made several funding applications and he hoped to have senior designated housing available in Elkford in “a year or two max”.

EHS project manager and Elkford Women’s Task Force Society Executive Director, Kim Bauer, described the survey as a “stepping stone” in developing a clear plan and budget for the senior housing development.

However, EHS project manager and Teck coordinator for sustainability, Sharon Strom, said the society had a “couple of ideas” where a facility could be situated.

Elkford Mayor Dean McKerracher reiterated council’s commitment to provide land for the project.

Paper copies of the survey are available at the Elkford Community Conference Centre or by emailing elkfordhousingsociety@gmail.com.

Lack of housing forces move

Senior designated housing in Elkford could encourage former residents back to the community.

Thirty-four respondents (20 per cent) to the Elkford Senior Housing Survey indicated they had a senior family member whomoved away but would return to Elkford if suitable housing became available.

Residents have also lost friends to neighbouring towns due to a lack of suitable accommodation.

“Our friends are in Sparwood and were in Fernie because there were no facilities available here,” said long-time resident RobinDrijber, who attended the June 18 meeting on senior housing in Elkford.

“They had to move there to be accommodated.”

Drijber has lived in Elkford since 1976 and says “it’s about time” the town had senior designated housing.

“I was surprised there were 800 people over 50 in Elkford, so that just shows that the community is aging and a lot of thepeople haven’t left town.

“Before, people would always go to Cranbrook or down the coast. People like it here, they’ve lived here all their life and theyhave a sense of community and so they’re staying here.”

At 65, Drijber falls into the 65 and older sub-population, which makes up just over nine per cent of the population in Elkford.

The Elkford Housing Society is investigating affordable housing options for local seniors and Drijber said he would considermoving into senior designated housing in the future.

“I’m a senior citizen but I’ve still got my health,” he said.

“Everyone has to look to the future, right, so it’s important to think ahead.”

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