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Petition Tag - seniors
1. Protect Canadian Seniors; Stop Bill c428 
PLEASE READ AND DO SEND IT ON - Bill C-428
This Bill is now scheduled for second reading...
PLEASE PASS THIS ON TO ALL YOUR FRIENDS, RELATIVES AND CONTACTS, AS THIS CONCERNS EVERY ONE OF US!
Please forward this email:
FROM: The Hon. Diane Finley P.C.M.P., Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development
I am pleased to respond to your electronic message which was forwarded to me by the Office of the Prime Minister the Right Honourable Stephen Harper regarding private member's Bill C-428.
As you know Bill C-428 proposes to amend the Old Age Security Act to reduce the residence requirement for entitlement to a monthly pension from ten years to three years. This private member's bill was introduced in the House of Commons by M.P. Ruby Dhalla / Liberal Opposition Member.
As the Minister responsible I have been very clear that when this Bill comes forward we will strongly oppose it. The Old Age Security (OAS) pension is paid to seniors in recognition of the contribution that they have made to Canadian society the economy and their community. The OAS program is non-contributory and is based solely on age and residence in Canada after the age of 18. The ten-year residence rule is consistent with many other countries that have residence or contribution requirements associated with their national pensions to ensure that benefits are given in proportion to years of residence or affiliation with their pension programs.
With this in mind it is felt that the current ten-year residence requirement rep resents a balance between a reasonable contribution to Canadian society and the right to receive a lifelong pension.
What Can You Do?
1. Spread the message to family friends and e-mail buds.
2. Write letters send e-mails to all your list and call Members of Parliament.
2. Improve Access to Health Care for Observation Stays
Extended Observation Stays Constrain Medicare Beneficiaries’ Access to Medical Services. Medicare covers 100 days of SNF care per episode of care, following a qualifying three-day hospital stay. Medicare beneficiaries’ access to SNF care is being constrained by the increased use of observation stays.
The observation status used by hospitals is technically deemed an outpatient service, while often patients are in the hospital for several days. Between 2007-2009, hospital use of observation stays increased 25%.
Observation patients also remained in the hospital longer with an 88% increase in the amount of patients staying at least 72 hours, well past Medicare’s recommended 24-48 hours for this status. H.R. 1543 / S. 818 would deem an individual on observation status as an in-patient with respect to the three-day stay requirement.
Its not fair that you threw the Senior Project on us our Junior Year. Some of us have jobs we work to make a living.
We don't have time for 20 service hours with a mentor. Some of us go to school for 8 hours, and then go straight to work for 7-8 hours, and don't get home until close to midnight. When do we have time for Senior Project?
I would say we could quit our jobs that we have been working at for years, but we cant do that if we are trying to pay bills, and make a living!
I just think that they should of started it for the starting class of Freshman that come in, so they have time to plan, and wont have jobs, and stuff to worry about.
Plus, we don't have money to just throw out for a project. I really don't want to throw $100 out for a grade, PLUS all our senior class fees. It's ridiculous. Sure its a good idea for an assignment, but you cant throw it on us and expect us to change everything about our lives just to pass English 4, I cant guarantee that the drop out, and failing rate is going to sky rocket.
Just simply take it away and give it to the class of 2015, and tell them now, so they know what to expect. You've already changed enough for the class of 2012.
Obamacare is set to take place in January 2011. It will make cuts to medicare which will take away the quality health care our senior citizens deserve. This health care legislation will also take away our right to choose our own doctor or hospital and this is not what our country needs now.
5. Exemption from Local School Tax
The Local School Tax represents a large percentage, often more than half, of the property tax for all New Jersey home owners. This presents a particular hardship on those with limited sources of income who are now faced with severe budgeting problems.
Provide an exemption from Local School Tax for those few who suffer most. The possibilities are shown below for your consideration.
Single, Age 65 & Over, Income Less than $40K, 100% Exemption for Veterans and Disabled
Maried, Age 65 & Over, Income Less than $55K, 100%
Exemption for Veterans and Disabled
Single, Age 65 & Over, Income Less than $30K, 100%
Exemption for Veterans or Disabled
Married, Age 65 & Over, Income Less than $45K, 100%
Exemption for Veterans or Disabled
Single, Age 64 & Under, Income More than $55K, Zero
Exemption
Married, Age 64 & Under, Income More than $65K, Zero
Exemption
6. Senior Trip for seniors of Carl Wunsche High School
Senior class raised money for a senior trip and senior class isn't getting a senior trip.
7. Yes to Seniors' Sweat Shirts
In the past the seniors were able to wear their sweaters.
8. "Seniors For Realistic Action"
The Minnesota State Board of Cosmotology has made an unfair decision in the handling of the license of LOIS BENDZICK. Lois does Nails for Senior Residents residing at CENTENNIAL HILL SENIOR APARTMENTS, located at 820 Santa Vera Drive, Chanhassen, MN 55317. This Senior Complex was has 65 apartments.
It was built in 1996 and is owned by Carver County.
The average age of the residents exceeds 80. Many have limitations with mobility. Many don't drive a car any longer. Many used the services of Lois Bendzick.
It was convenient, very affordable and the availability and scheduling was excellent.
This unique service should, by all means, be continued.
Any alternative would make it almost impossible for us Seniors to get this service. It would require leaving the building, paying more and in some cases, involve calling a cab. It just doesn't make any sense!
9. Keep Rockway Seniors Centre Open
The City of Kitchener is targeting the Rockway Seniors Centre for closure based on the probable needs of future baby boomer or zoomer seniors.
They do not want to put money into the place to fix it up. The city is forgetting about the people that have contributed their tax money and so much more to our community in the past and the present.
Hundreds of seniors rely on this place for social interaction, physical activity and education. It keeps their hearts and minds alive and strong.
Please help out and keep the Rockway Seniors Centre open!
10. Support the Seniors Housing Project at 100 Ranleigh Avenue
The congregation of Bedford Park United Church wishes to build a Seniors Residence on their property. The building will have 59 housing units and affordable space for community groups to use, as well as underground parking for residents and community use.
The main floor will have a chapel, nursery school and space for community groups to meet. The upper 4 floors will be housing for seniors with modifications such as support bars, walk-in shower and wide hallways.
This housing will allow seniors to stay in their community and remain independent. They will be further supported by our community care provider, SPRINT (Senior Persons Resources in North Toronto). For further details go to www.bedfordparkunitedchurch.ca and click on Bedford Park Seniors Residence.
11. Improved Regulation of Senior Companion Services
We are orchestrating a call-to-action for the Ontario government to stand up and take notice that regulations need to be in place for senior service providers; not just the retirement residences.
Over the last many months the government spent millions of dollars on a campaign around senior abuse, yet they are the ones abusing seniors buy not regulating the care providers. Please see the campaign here
http://news.gc.ca/web/article-eng.do?nid=458809
There are hundreds of senior companion services available in just the Greater Toronto Area, but how do any of know who to trust and where to turn? There is no stamp of approval.
Presently world-class leaders of the United States are turning to Canada for our exemplary health care system; however, the U.S. has regulations in place, for many of the states, far more advanced than the Canadians.
Please see some examples of states with regulations:
1) Colorado - http://www.cdphe.state.co.us/
2) Maryland - http://www.dhmh.state.md.us/
3) Illinois - http://www.idph.state.il.us/
4) Nebraska - http://www.publichealthne.org/
5) North Carolina - http://www.ncpha.com/
In response to an undercover article written in the Toronto Star -
Part 1) http://www.thestar.com/article/696940
Part 2) http://www.thestar.com/article/697577
Families, loved ones, and seniors should be educated in all care decisions. The use of a senior care service should not be a sign of defeat, it should be a sign of companionship. People should be educated on their decisions of hiring a staffing agency vs. a private care provider. There should be tips, suggestions and advice given by an accredited source - such as the Ontario government.
12. Senior Pictures: Tivy High School's graduating class of 2010
In the past Tivy High School Seniors have had the option to submit what photos to use for their Senior Pictures.
Tivy High School graduating class of 2010 believes they too should be able to have this opportunity.
13. SouthEast Vancouver Seniors want EQUAL SERVICES
Support SouthEast Vancouver Seniors in their right to equal services. We have suffered 12 years of promises to build a dedicated Senior Centre for the 25,000 or 1/3 of Vancouver seniors 65+; not including 55+ stats. The 3 levels of government agree a seniors centre is needed in SouthEast Vancouver.
There are 9 Seniors Centres on Vancouver's Westside. Vancouver Park Board has tentatively agreed to provided the land. NOW is the time to build the SouthEast Vancouver Seniors Centre, enough with the continual motions to approve it.
Our recommendations are:
1) That all Health Care Aids and Personal Support Workers should be regulated, organized and accountable.
2) That there be stricter screening of Personal Support Workers before enrollment in courses.
3) That all schools are providing proper education and training of Personal Support Workers. We need more quality, not just quantity.
4) That the practice of handing out Personal Support Worker certificates to keep Canada's unemployment rate down, be ceased.
5) That a much needed support group, to help Health Care Aids and Personal Support Workers deal with the many issues that face them every day, be established.
6) That a stronger network be built with employers, registered staff and the public, so we can enhance the lives of our seniors, eliminate seniors abuse and improve working conditions for front line workers.
This petition is intended to help the senior class at Blanco High School recieve off campus lunch, hopefully every friday. We understand that off campus lunch can sometimes be a problem, but we are a responsible class and will respect the privelage of being able to leave campus.
We also are also including in the qualifications for off campus lunch that you must be passing all classes and that you have not received ISS of AEP. To help keep track of this, the senior class officers are willing to make out tickets each week for qualifying students.
Thank you for your support.
Seniors '09
16. STOP Elder Abuse
Among the most prominent problem faced by the elderly is the abuse by the family members and also by the people of the society. According to a rough estimate, nearly 40 % of older people living with their families are reportedly facing abuse of one kind or another, but only 1 in 6 cases actually comes to light (Helpage India website).
But first it is necessary to understand what comes elder abuse and its definitions. Various authors have defined elder abuse but a comprehensive definition is given by Council of Europe (1992).
They define elder abuse as “A non-accidental act or omission, which undermines the life, the physical and psychological integrity of an older person or harms the development of his or her personality and or undermines or damages his or her financial security”.
Rights for Seniors
The laws that are theoretically intended to protect our Canadian senior population may look good on paper, but complaints of senior abuse and neglect are not always thoroughly investigated, until after a death occurs. Complainants are reluctant to come forward, especially seniors in nursing homes and staff in nursing homes, as they fear retaliation.
If it is true, that a society is judged by the way it treats its most vulnerable, we are in an abysmal state. While we acknowledge that the provincial government has been investing funds, in its attempt to address issues that affect our senior population, we also realize that the problems that affect our elders are so complex that more funding, without strict accountability, may not be enough. Simply tossing more money at the nursing home sector may not improve quality of care, but result in higher profits for the institution. The problems are endemic: from the disgraceful diaper rule (the diaper is not changed unless its blue strip proves saturation), to seniors being abandoned in a wheelchair, without human interaction, and to the ultimate cases of blatant abuse and even death.
As advocates for senior rights, we (ourElders ourSelves, a watchdog group for senior rights) ask the government to pay attention to the voices of the disenfranchised and of those who value them.
We ask the government of Ontario:
1) To set up a twenty four hour telephone line, dedicated to the needs of the elderly, where, anyone, including nursing home staff, family, and above all the seniors themselves, can reach out for help (it is difficult to get through the current line). This would encourage anonymous calls, allowing for the reporting of any real, or presumed abuse;
2) To respond immediately, upon receiving a call of distress, or alleged abuse. The MOH officer contacted should investigate ALL complaints thoroughly. This should lead to an investigation that includes: unannounced visits to the nursing facility, and consultations with the staff, the residents and their FAMILIES. If the government official, shows bias, or informs the nursing home of the imminent inspection, that individual should incur severe penalties.
18. Address Homelessness in BC
BC government continues to cancel funding for social housing units. BC government introduced new welfare rules cutting benefits to many and creating punitive barriers to those needing welfare. Yet welfare rates are 25% lower than in 1995, once inflation is factored in.
The three biggest factors for homelessness:
* The Federal Govt. pulling out of an "annual" social housing program.
*Provincial barriers to accessing welfare and welfare rates that don't meet basic needs.
*The loss of affordable rental housing due to redevelopment.
And do you know who is in charge of this in BC?
Rich Coleman.
And do you know what Mr. Coleman did before becoming a politician?
He was in Real Estate! He knows the value of the land and likes development, no matter who suffers in the face of progress!
19. Seniors of Buffalo County, Nebraska Pushing for more than a $10 Food Stamp Supply
People in Buffalo county that are disabled or of the age of Senior acceptance only receive ten dollars in food stamps on a monthly basis.
This can't be accepted, because of the fact that seniors and people with a disability consume more than ten dollars of food in one month, and people who are in this age or disability range may not be able to work for themselves in an income manor.
20. Low Income Seniors Need Your Help
Low income seniors need your help – take one minute and send an email – that’s all.
Thanks to the 2008 budget - the tax free savings account may help head off future problems.
But low income seniors still lose 25% their savings in addition to income taxes on RRSPs, is that fair?
If they hadn’t bought RRSPs they would not lose a quarter of their savings. The government has enticed them to buy RRSPs by offering a tax refund and then confiscates ¼ of that money when they withdraw it.
This “bait” and “trap” policy used by Canada on the most defenceless in our society is a shame!Low income workers buy an RRSP and get 25% tax refund. When they withdraw the RRSP they pay back the 25% taxes (so far that’s fair). That RRSP withdrawal is classed as ‘income’ on their tax return. The following year those low income seniors have their GIS reduced by 25 cents for every dollar of ‘income’ from their Guaranteed Income Supplement. (Guaranteed Income Supplement is assistance for the lowest income people over age 65 to help provide a minimum standard of living.) It shouldn’t be used to rob seniors of their meagre savings, especially when those who by-pass RRSPs are not trapped this way!
Aache Junction High School has two lunches, A & B lunch. It used to be that freshman have there own lunch, and Sophomore's, Juniors, and Seniors share there own lunch.
This year things have changed, we still have A & B lunches, but now if you have any electives for fourth hour, you go to A lunch, and if you have English, Math, or World History for fourth hour, you go to B lunch. Now that wouldn't really be a problem to some people, but to most people, it would be a big problem, because there not with there friends, and classmates.
So I'm starting this petition to change lunches to freshmen and Sophomores for A lunch, and Juniors and Seniors for B lunch so we all could be with our friends and classmates, and it'll also make the lunch lines more shorter so we could have more time to eat.
22. Petition to Allow Pets in all homes/areas of Old Bridge Village
Statistically proven, pets promote the health and well being of older and retired persons.
They also promote a sense of security.
23. James Street sidewalks aren't fit to walk on
James Street is a small street located in Whitney Pier. There is a senior home located on the corner of Griffin and James Street. The sidewalk is crumbling and making it very dangerous for our seniors to walk on.
The seniors that live on this street all walk or have motorized wheelchairs. James Street has a post office and bus route at the end of the street. The sidewalks are not only beneficial to our neighborhoods many children travelling back and forth to the local elementary school; but necessary for our seniors safety when travelling to and from the doctors, pharmacy etc.
24. Reconsider Joel J. Cacace Seniors sentence to a SuperMax Prison in Florence, Colorado
In December of 2001, while pleading guilty to a racketeering, loansharking and money laundering indictment that accused him of being "the acting boss of the Columbo Crime Family," Little Allie essentially admitted he was a high-ranking member of the Mafia. While, as per Salvatore Maranzano's 1931 Mafia Commission edict, Little Allie's plea violated Mafia rules, it is unlikely that he will suffer any serious consequences.
On December 8, 2004, Joel "Joe Waverly" Cacace, 63, the Colombo Crime Family acting boss, drew a 20-year sentence for the murder of 79-year-old George Aronwald, an administrative law judge who ruled on city parking tickets.
The feds contended that in 1987, Cacace delivered the order from The Snake, the jailed Colombo boss, to kill William Aronwald because he had prosecuted mobsters in a "disrespectful" manner. Cacace scrawled "Aronwald" on a scrap of paper and gave it to the hit team. However, the hapless killers targeted the wrong "Aronwald."
The feds indicted Little Allie Boy and John "Jackie" DeRoss, the Columbo Crime Family underboss, on October 14, 2004 for the May 26, 1999 murder of Columbo Family underboss William "Wild Bill" Cutolo, and for obstruction of justice related to the investigation of Cutolo's murder. On that day, William Cutolo had been picked up and driven to what he was told would be a top-level meeting of the Columbo Cosa Nostra Family. Wild Bill thought he was headed for a session with Little Allie Boy but at that moment, Persico---the man the feds say was the architect of Cutolo's murder---was in Garden City, L.I. discussing strategy for a then-pending case with his attorney. Cutolo's body has never been found. In November 2002, following a hearing in Surrogates Court, Cutolo was officially declared dead.
25. Give Students at RJHS the right to have an off campus lunch
October 2, 2006
This petition is now closed.
..............................
RJHS has only allowed seniors to go off campus for lunch. For many students the lunch lines are too long and the food at the school is very unhealthy.
26. Mrs. Boone Should Not Be Essex High School Girls Basketball Varsity Coach
The reason behind this petition is that some people feel that Mrs. Boone didn't go about the right way in selecting the players for the Varsity team. Two seniors who have played since 8th grade were cut from the team, one was given a bad explanation and the other person wasn't given one at all. She told a parent of a child who was cut that her child was not good enough as some other players to be on the team and that if she was on the team she would sit on the bench. What kind of thing is that to say to someone?
We feel that seniors should have some advantage when being picked for a team compared to 9th and 10th graders, who have the rest of high school to play varsity. Why should they come in and take senior spots when we can only play varsity not junior varsity and that this is our last year ever to play high school basketball again.
27. Sr. Prom at Germantown High should be on a Friday!!
The Seniors at Germantown High School are concerned about the date of our Sr. prom. The Prom is set for Thursday, but we as seniors would like it on a Friday. We expressed our concern to the senior sponsor, but she stated that it's going to be cheaper. Our senior class is actually paying more than the seniors paid last year and the prom was held at the same place and on a Friday.
If money is the reason why we as seniors can't have the prom on a Friday, we agreed that we will run fundraisers to make it enough so we can have the prom on the date we want.