Timeless Generation Podcast Special: Interview With Elizabeth and Subhash of the Ontario Society of Senior Citizens Organizations (OSSCO)

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For the first issue of “The Timeless Generation’s” special podcast on Senior issues, Jenna and Jessica visited the Ontario Society of Senior Citizens Organizations (OSSCO) head office to meet with Elizabeth MacNab and Subhash Rai, and have a conversation about their agency and the work that they do.

To listen to the interview, click here: https://www.regentparkfocus.com/radio/media/timelessgen/more/OSCO_2019-03-06.mp3

If you do not have time to have a listen, but are still interested to hear more about OSSCO, please read the summary below:

What is OSSCO in a nutshell? 

Ontario Society of Senior Citizens Organizations (OSSCO) is an umbrella organization, comprised of like-minded community groups and individuals who represent seniors, retiree organizations as well as businesses and individuals who want to improve the quality of life as we age. 

What is the organization all about  and how did it get its start? 

OSCO started as a grass roots movement in response to a former federal government planning to reduce pensions. OSSCO was incorporated in 1987 as a registered charity to primarily focus on the participation of seniors in all aspects of society, keeping seniors information on current issues and focus on programs to benefit an aging population. Today OSSCO focuses on 3 things: programs for seniors of an educational nature; educating stakeholders and decision-makers and participating in research projects.

What kind of programming does OSSCO have? 

OSCO offers a variety of educational programs offered in select communities in the province with the goal of providing older people with the knowledge, resources or tools to improve or maintain their quality of life.

Some of our programs for example were developed to specifically to reduce social isolation of seniors. Our computer programs teach seniors how to incorporate technology – computers, cell phones or tablets  - into their lives, keeping them active and engaged. We offer beginner, intermediate level 1 and level 2. These programs are offered through a host partner – who provides the computers – and OSSCO who develops the learning program, and supplies the computer trainer.

Ten times a year in Toronto, we offer a learning program called Tuesdays with OSSCO. OSSCO tests ideas as to what is important to older people, and then uses that information to revise, improve or develop new workshops and learning programs for seniors. OSSCO creates and delivers learning programs through training consultants on topics of interest to all Ontario seniors. These programs are available in Ottawa, Toronto/GTA, Sudbury, Sault Ste. Marie, Thunder Bay, London, Niagara Region and Windsor-Essex. Our programs deliver the lessons/workshops using a technique called “empowerment learning”, enabling the learner (participant) to be empowered in the learning process through a variety of engagement activities discussion, and questions. OSSCO’s facilitator/trainer also gains new knowledge through this process

OSSCO is the only seniors’ organization which develops and hosts an annual seniors’ conference with an information fair. The conference free of charge to anyone over the age of 50 and the information fair is open to the public.

Due to OSSCO’s expertise with older people, we developed 4 toolkits to help unemployed older people, including newcomers and immigrants, enhance their economic opportunities. We offer a 2-day Job Search workshop, highlighting encore (or 2nd career options) as well as teaching people how to reconnect and run a self-sustaining employment meet-ups called Employment Networking Groups. We also offer a 2 day workshop on how to start your business, targeted at people 50 – 70 years of age. The Job Search workshop has a success factor of 15% participants finding employment within a 3 – 6 month period. As a result of our grants, we usually write a report on a topic, and share the information with stakeholders, decision-makers & influencers as well as the broader seniors community.


4. Can you tell me which issues that Senior’s experience are of particular concern to OSSCO? 

Health care system – so many changes recently with the merger of the CCAC (a community service delivery body) into the LHIN (a planning body), that it’s confusing for seniors (and families) on accessing services and programs for which they are “eligible”. Now it’s rumoured the 13 LHIN’s will be merged into 5 entities.

Hospitals discharging older people too quickly resulting in re-admission, or releasing them back into community without the safeguards in place so that the person does not return to hospital. Consolidation of health care services in large hospital centres so that patients travel 4 – 6 hours for treatments i.e. cancer.

Transportation – in rural and northern Ontario there is no alternate “public” or community transportation between communities i.e. Grey Hound closing down bus routes, no train service between Sault Ste. Mari & Sudbury. When a senior gives up their drivers license they have to relocate into a community with public transportation to remain independent. This means smaller communities’ populations are negatively affected.

Pensioner Poverty – the current “claw back” or “tax recovery” system means that any pensioner who receives minimum pension + OAS + GIS and who wants to work so that they can “thrive” on an income of $30,000 p.a., will be taxed up to 90% on earnings between $18 – 30,000 a year – the same rate as someone earning more than $250,000 per year. Pensioners are being “shamed” that they did not save enough money for retirement years.

Affordable housing for lower income seniors/pensioners especially for pensioners living in large urban centres as well as single household seniors.

Long Term Care (LTC) which is chronic and complex care, is no longer just for seniors. The current LTC model replaced the various other health institutions the province had. This means a young person with brain injury, or a mid-aged schizophrenic will live in LTC with a frail senior.

Loneliness and social isolation. As people age their social networks decrease due to loss, death, moving away, ill health etc, and their social contacts decrease considerably. To remain socially active also requires an appropriate income to do so i.e. join a seniors’ centre, go out for coffee, movies, to have a computer, internet provider, etc. New ways of reaching out to older people is required to provide them with a sense of real “community” as things change instead of a “virtual’ one.

Ageism which is an issue which affects everyone’s perspective on dealing with, communicating, treating and interacting with an older person. It’s literally the last Human Rights violation.

Why everyone should care about these issues, regardless of age? 

Access to health care when you need it, and where you can get to it is important for everyone. Why should a person drive 4 – 6 hours for cancer treatment, or wait up to 2 years for knee or hip replacement? Public and communal transit is important because not everyone drives, or can afford a vehicle. Even millennials get lonely – especially if they moved for work or their friends have relocated. Creating welcoming neighbourhoods and communities is important for everyone to thrive in.

Can a person become involved with OSSCO?

As a volunteer – every year the Board as a vacancy for a new board member. You can also volunteer to help with the seniors conference – registration desk, greeters, outreach to our member organizations to attend. We’re always looking for knowledge experts in the field of aging to speak and present at Tuesdays with OSSCO. For projects we often look for senior advisory committee members to share their views and provide input into new programs for seniors.

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To listen to the entire podcast, please visit: https://www.regentparkfocus.com/radio/media/timelessgen/more/OSCO_2019-03-06.mp3

For more information on OSSCO, please visit: http://www.ocsco.ca/

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