This is for our resident advocate, Xenia, as well as everyone else who is struggling the way I am. I sent it on Friday, Bill Morneau is our new finance minister. Wasn't sure who to send it to but read his bio which talks about the extensive volunteer work he's done thhroughout his life. Am also thinking of forwarding it the the CMA, which has been very active recently on the question of seniors' care. If I don't get some kind of response, even if only from a flunky toeing the party line, I may go public. After nearly five years of struggling not only am i close to broke, but dangerously close to complete exhaustion. Just waiting for the law regarding physician-assisted suicide. JOKE!!!!!!
Dear Mr. Morneau,
I'm 77 years old, handicapped and the sole support, financially and emotionally, for my 86-year old husband who is semi-paralyzed, aphasic and brain-damaged due to a catastrophic stroke in 2012. He's in long-term care and well looked after. But I'm the one who needs more help.
His ltc costs are covered by CPP and GIS. and I am so grateful for that.. However, everything else is paid for by me, out of my own government benefits. Dental care, eye care, glasses, outings, dry cleaning, treats, gifts, clothes, shoes, etc. etc. So I am left with very little to live on. My question to you is, why can I not get some kind of tax break for doing all this? There is very little money left with which to support him, and no support of any kind from his family.I live in a co-op, and my rent is slightly subsidized. However, it went up over $100 a month last year, and I am now paying close to 50% of my income. I have no family of my own and am terrified that I will be homeless by the time I'm 80, or before.
The reason we're in this situation is that we both ran our own small companies, successfuoly, until the most recent financial melt-down.
My husband and I are not alone. I know of several single people and couples who are in similar situations.
I'm hoping for sunnier days - does anyone care?
Jennifer Brown-Froehr
I sent this because I bacame so overwhelmed last week when Karl 'phoned to tell me that someone had stolen his brand new glasses. Talk about the proverbial straw!
oldbat - who's now been outed!!!!