When going door-to-door during the election campaign a number of seniors expressed to me their concerns about lack of affordable, seniors-appropriate housing options in our community. Many people have lived here for all, or a good portion, of their lives and understandably do not wish to leave this area where their friends and family live.
Some are approaching a point where they merely wish to downsize into smaller accommodations that would demand less yard work, less housework, and less space to pay for insurance and utilities on. Some are wishing for a condo apartment or townhome so that there is no outside maintenance plus they can leave and go travelling or visiting family without the security concerns of a home that doesn’t look lived in. Some folks are looking for assisted living and long-term care.
In working with the Town on this issue it became clear that we needed to survey our seniors population to ascertain what the single greatest demand is, at this time, in terms of housing options for our seniors. Armed with the knowledge of what is most needed right now we can push forward and in the right direction. I am writing to ask for your help by completing the survey and returning it to the Town no later than March 10th.
I have left copies of the survey at the Caledon Seniors Centre, the CCRW, the Library, and some Doctor’s offices around town. If you find they are gone you can also find one online at www.caledon.ca/surveys which can be printed, then completed and mailed in. Or just give me a shout. Before completing please take a few minutes to read the definitions of the different styles of housing so that you can answer with what is most appropriate to your needs. If you have questions please contact me at 905-951-6128 or Laura Hall at 905-584-2272.
Working together we are going to improve the seniors housing situation in our community so I truly thank you for your time.
Patti
Hi Patti
Just wanted to let you know that we have done a direct mail to over 1100 seniors that included the survey. Hopefully that will get some good results! Completed surveys can be dropped off at any Rec Centre and our staff will get them to Town Hall.
Hope you had a wonderful Family Day!
Heather Flaherty
Manager, Programs & Community Development
Town of Caledon
905-584-2272 ext. 4262
Thank you Heather. Councillor Mezzapelli and I also placed information about the survey in our Winter Update brochure which comes out in this week’s Caledon Citizen.
HI, Patti,
Great survey! I’ve already responded to Laura, but I’ve got lots more to say on the subject. Let’s chat sometime soon.
Best,
Dorothy
Dorothy Mazeau, B. Arch.
Sales Representative
Royal LePage RCR Realty, Brokerage
(905) 857-0651
http://www.dorothymazeau.com
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From: Patti Foley, Regional Councillor Bolton (ward 5) [mailto:comment-reply@wordpress.com] Sent: Tuesday, February 19, 2013 9:23 AM To: Dorothy Mazeau B. Arch. Subject: [New post] Help me Address the Seniors Housing Issue
pattifoley posted: “When going door-to-door during the election campaign a number of seniors expressed to me their concerns about lack of affordable, seniors-appropriate housing options in our community. Many people have lived here for all, or a good portion, of their lives “
Thank you Dorothy. Happy to meet and talk more. Please forward a link to the online form to any seniors or near-seniors that you know.
There is definitely a need for this type of facility. I am involved with the local horticultural society where many members are seniors. It is sad to say farewell to older members who must leave the community where many have lived their entire lives, just because there is no suitable housing available that meets their needs.This survey, though specific to Caledon seniors, is also relevant to me, a 60 year old Caledon resident taking care of elderly parents living in Toronto. My sisters and I have been seeking a retirement home for my parents and would love to relocate them nearer to Bolton. I believe there are many Caledon residents in my position who also would take advantage of the opportunity to relocate their parents were a suitable facility available in Caledon.
Thank you Brenda. I appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts. Please forward the link to the online survey to any seniors, near-seniors and families with seniors that you know. The more feedback we get the easier to make our case. Would you like any hard copies to circulate? Just let me know.
I haven’t reached the age that qualifies me as a senior (50) but, I would like to stay in this community as I age. My husband says he’ll stay in our house until he is taken away in a pine box. At that point I would like to live in a seniors condo. I grew up in apartments and can appreciate the sense of community these residences allow seniors.
Thank you very much Ms Simpson for your thoughts and insights. I think they are very relevant and that we also need to hear from near-seniors (I often refer to myself as a junior senior) in this survey.
Hello Patti,
Nearly 14 years ago my husband and I moved to Caledon as it was our choice to live in a safer community after living in Toronto. As both of us are now seniors, we hoped that we would be able to live out the remainder of our lives here. However, we find our house is too big and the upkeep can be overwhelming. We have been actively looking for smaller homes but nothing seems to suit our needs. What is needed here in Caledon, is a variety of living accommodations to suit individual tastes and affordabilty such as condo appartments, small housing variety such as town houses or small bungalows but still under a condo corrporation (our first choice)and apartments for extended care patients.
Excellent feedback Lynda. This is as I suspect for many people. The survey is getting quite a bit of momentum now as I had hoped for.
HI, Patti,
You may get this from Michele at Whole Village, but in case you don’t I thought I’d send it along. I can’t go to Orangeville myself on April 9, but you may know some who can, or wish to publicize it.
Best,
Dorothy
Dorothy Mazeau, B. Arch.
Sales Representative
Royal LePage RCR Realty, Brokerage
(905) 857-0651
http://www.dorothymazeau.com
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