Take a Seat for Long Term Care

Sunday, 7 June 2015 09:19

The Oxford Coalition for Social Justice is set to raise awareness for the growing problem of long term care.

INGERSOLL - The Oxford Coalition For Social Justice is asking you to take a seat for long term care.

On June 12th a 10 foot rocking chair will be making its way to Gazebo Square in Ingersoll to bring awareness to the growing problem of long term care in Oxford County. Chair of Oxford Coalition For Social Justice Bryan Smith says this is an issue that's set to worsen in the coming years if something isn't done soon."There are lots of people who are the boomers, who are coming to a point in their lives where they are going to require care. We also know that there are more and more things that are effecting people at younger ages. For instance certain psychological problems. The number of people who need long term care for certain psychological problems is approximately a quarter of the population."

People are invited to take a seat, tell stories, and think about what long term care really means for them, their family, and their friends. "The plan is then to draw people's awareness to the fact that long term care is in a bit of a mess in this province. And to make sure people are aware that there are possible solutions that would work it much better," Smith says. "And then to get enough people engaged that they then want to have those conversations with politicians so that people can very clearly hear what are the needs and wants of the people in Oxford County."

The Oxford Coalition For Social Justice will be taking their concerns to a local politician. Two weeks after the Big Chair in Ingersoll on June 26th they will be filling a bus and heading to MPP Deb Matthews office in London. Matthews was the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care in October 2009. Currently she is President of the Treasury Board and Minister Responsible for the Poverty Reduction Strategy. The plan is to have participants put notes detailing their concerns inside balloons. Smith says they hope the event has a 'festive and neighbourly feeling.'

More information can be found at www.OxfordSocialJustice.org