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LETTER: Aging population deserves support

I have done a lot of research on the iCasa Resort Living development and believe it would be a fantastic addition.

Dear Editor:

I was reading a CBC report written Dec. 13, 2016 about the B.C. Seniors Advocate urging the government to increase housing for the elderly.

She also was mentioning the high numbers of seniors living in full care facilities that could live independently if they had support.

This is not a new discussion, nor is this the only report of this nature. What this does bring to mind however, is our responsibility, as a community to support our local aging population with compassion and dignity.

I have done a lot of research on the proposed iCasa Resort Living development here in Summerland and believe that it would be a fantastic addition to our community.

1. By offering market based housing, as well as a variety of different levels of “aging in place” accommodation, some of which they are applying for govt. subsidized beds.

2. By addressing the community need for more medical support staffing all in a “one stop shopping” environment. (physiotherapists, occupational therapists, nurses, etc.)

In addition to addressing the overwhelming concern of how to take care of our aging population, I believe this development has additional benefit to our Summerland community.

It offers full time, well paying steady employment to attract and keep our younger population in the community, potentially supporting our local businesses and providing kids for our local schools.

By addressing environmental concerns and designing with both the environment and neighbouring views with professional engineering & environmental studies, I believe this development has shown respect for our community and also has the potential to be a catalyst for development of lower town. I find it ironic that the very people who have been approaching me to sign their petition against this development are of an age where “what am I going to do when I can no longer live in my house” is a question that may need to be asked in the not too distant, future.

I hope that our mayor and council will be a bit more forward thinking.

Linda Bishop

Summerland