Over 65 and Living in Poverty

James Bay Community Project

By Paula Greene

Over the last year I have increasingly being having conversations about the increase in poverty levels for seniors in Victoria; it is a growing problem and with an aging population not one that is going to go away. Vital Signs 2015 (Victoria Foundation) reported an increase from 7% to 7.9% in the elderly poverty rate in Victoria.

Employment services, shelters and foodbanks are reporting increased usage by seniors who live on very limited pensions or social assistance. Rising costs and lack of affordable housing exacerbate the problem for instance whilst the Shelter Aid for Elderly Renters (SAFER) rate has increased by 9% since 2005 rents have increased by 34%. (The office of the Seniors advocate, Monitoring Senior Services 2015).

These are complex issues that need a comprehensive government and community response to ensure that our seniors can live without worry about where their next meal is coming from or having to make the choice ‘do I skip some meals to pay for medicine?’ The stress and worry about making ends meet have many ripple effects. Seniors may isolate themselves as they seek to reduce costs by not going out, some may experience anxiety/depression and overall health may deteriorate as people sacrifice healthy eating to pay bills and other costs. The long term costs on people’s health and the subsequent costs on community are huge.

At James Bay Community Project we reach out to Senior\s who are isolated or on living on a low income. Outreach services are available to low income seniors and adults with a disability living independently in the James Bay area without the support of family or friends. The outreach worker may assess for one to one volunteer services, provide information on programs and services or link an individual to other community resources. For more information please contact Noriko Oka, outreach worker at 250-388-7844 Ext. 318 or by email at noka@jbcp.bc.ca. 

James Bay Community Project also provides a range of low cost or free programs aimed at reducing isolation and improving health for seniors. One such program is the free Foot Care program. Foot Care is vital for maintaining health, mobility and independence, yet seniors are expected to pay for foot care themselves which is just not possible when living in below the poverty line. For details of all the programs available please contact James Bay Community Project at 547 Michigan St., 250-388-7844, askus@jbcp.bc.ca.

James Bay Community Project is just one not-for-profit in Victoria that provides support, advice and services to seniors, for more information about services that may be available to you contact:

The office of the seniors advocate, www.seniorsadvocatebc.ca, Toll-free at 1-877-952-3181
In Victoria: 250-952-3181

BC Centre for Elder Advocacy and Support, 604-437-1940 or 1-866-437-1940 (toll free), http://bcceas.ca

To access foodbanks in Victoria visit http://victoriahomelessness.ca/, 250-370-1512