Assisted living much-needed

As the population ages across the Rainy River district, it is becoming more evident that seniors will require a new type of housing.
Today, many of the district’s senior citizens are choosing to move away from the community to find new accommodations. In most cases, their move is to a community that some of their children already live in.
Rather than remain in the Rainy River district, they feel that they will be less burdensome in a new location where they can be independent from their children yet have the support they require to live independently.
Losing mobility and eyesight and grow infirm will necessitate the development of “assisted living quarters” for district residents.
The province does not fund the construction of such residences.
Instead, it has relied upon private developers to build and staff these facilities in Ontario.
The province does not subsidize residents for rent, or meals.
Most assisted living residences offer meals, house cleaning (including doing laundry), activity co-ordinators and exercise areas.
Some may offer the management of medicines and personal finances.
Social contact and interaction with other resident neighbors during meals, co-ordinated shopping trips and outings are important to the health of the residents.
Often residents who move into these facilities had found that before they had been prisoners in their homes, having little contact with other people beyond its walls.
Depending on the circumstances, residents may choose bachelor suites, or one- or two-bedroom apartments. The rooms have minimal kitchenette facilities.
Independent, yet requiring additional support, seniors who make the move find the quality of their lives improves.
Can a case be made to private developers or investors to build an assisted living residence in Fort Frances? We believe that it can.
It may require the community to agree to give land and connect services to such a facility at no cost.
Will it have a long-term benefit to the district? We believe that it is a way to help sustain the population and would be an economic benefit to the district.