A place for seniors in the Estonian Community (22)
Eestlased Kanadas | 12 Mar 2018  | Maimu MölderEWR
Eesti keeles http://www.eesti.ca/koht-vanem...

The lead organizations who have come together to plan the future of the Estonian community centre in Toronto have a monumental task. It is a task in which it is difficult to please everyone though making an effort to understand the needs of all segments of our community should result in the best outcome possible.

One segment of the Estonian community which feels neglected in this process is that of Estonian seniors. As a volunteer administrator for the Estonian Seniors Club of Toronto organizing events and activities, I have talked to a fair number of them. Soon after the announcement of the Madison Ave location for the centre, we informally polled the attendees of our popular “Lõbus Pärastlõuna” event and an overwhelming number said that they would prefer a centre at the present Estonian House location over that of one at Madison Avenue. Lack of dedicated parking, a much more urban and population-dense setting in the Bloor-Spadina area and fear of the construction project running out of money due to cost overruns were mentioned as deterrents for the proposed community centre on Madison Avenue. Many of the people polled have a strong attachment to not only the present building but also to the location of the Estonian House, which has been a hub for the community for decades. Seniors also expressed the belief that a rebuilt Estonian House at the present location would be a more prudent choice.

Though the Estonian Centre Project has held meetings with a number of stakeholders including Ehatare and Eesti Kodu, they have not pursued communication with the Pensioners Club, which brings together 70 to 100 active seniors once a month at the Estonian House. In light of announced discussions, the Pensioner’s group reached out to the Centre’s planning committee in January of this year and again recently. There is now word that Pensioner’s Club representatives will have an opportunity for a dialogue with planners in the near future.

Our seniors are a vibrant part of our community whose voice should not be discounted. A better dialogue with these older adults to serve their needs and interests at the future centre would benefit the whole community. The emphasis of Estonian Centre Project organizers thus far seems to be on the needs of the youngest generations, who are not as active in the community in numbers at the present time as are seniors.

What seems to be missing from communications from the Estonian Centre Project organizers is a holistic approach to community. Every member of a community should be equally valued and seen as a resource, be they young or old.

Another consideration that seems to be missing from the discussion of a future Estonian centre is that we are living in a country that has an aging population. According to Statistics Canada data, approximately one in four people by the year 2030 will be a senior citizen. The recent Toronto Foundation Vital Signs report emphasized that isolation experienced by seniors is a significant health concern and that community centres play an important role in providing the right resources and services for the elders in our society.

Questions come to mind. What efforts have been made to ensure that the new structure is an age-friendly facility? With a growing seniors population in Canada, an age-friendly building will be required by not only Estonians, but by the community at large renting space. Using the TTC can be a challenge for the elderly and dedicated parking is desired by seniors, many of whom have health issues that may impede mobility. Are there transportation solutions being considered, such as a shuttle service (other communities have done this in the past) or other workable solutions for our seniors?

A better dialogue to understand the needs and interest of our elders to ensure that they are socially engaged and active members of the community needs to take place as part of the planning of the future Estonian centre.

Maimu Molder holds a certificate in gerontology and works for a company developing an open messaging platform for seniors. As an advocate for older adults, she continues to educate herself regarding seniors issues as a member of organizations working to improve the quality of life for the aged in Canada. In addition to volunteering for a number of organizations in the Estonian community, she is the volunteer administrator for the Estonian Seniors Club of Toronto.


 

Viimased kommentaarid

Kommentaarid on kirjutatud EWR lugejate poolt. Nende sisu ei pruugi ühtida EWR toimetuse seisukohtadega.
To Ingrid03 Apr 2018 08:24
Please get a group together of like minded people and put together a credible business plan. Hoping that someone will do this for the past upteen number of years has yielded zero results to properly renovate and renew the present Estonian House. To keep bringing this up without a plan is just torturing those who really want it.
Ingrid Tanner02 Apr 2018 20:01
Why I believe the current Estonian House should be renovated and upgraded.
First... the location is great. We have a property that has spectacular views of the Don Valley... can you just imagine a beautiful hall with a balcony overlooking the don valley... fall colours... to spring growth to green views... this is a one in a million view that can be marketed.

We have a large piece of land that includes onsite parking... Parking can be charged... to add to the revenue steam.

We have multiple halls... that allow us to rent earn funds from more than one source.

We can upgrade our heating system and immediately lower the maintenance costs. We can ask the city for an energy audit that will out line the cost savings of retrofitting our heating and our lights.

https://saveonenergy.ca/Busine...

All the experts are available to help calculate the saving in energy costs.

Perhaps the "friend of the Estonian House" can look into this... just like they were able to get funding to help fix our roof... since our management does not seem to know how to get things done.
Or they are reluctant to get things done... so as to present the negative aspects ... not the possibilities.
Ingrid Tanner02 Apr 2018 19:47
Accessibility at the Estonian House

This too can be fixed... short term

first... have someone ticket people who park and block the side entrance . Not fair for the people who need to have accessible access.

Determine if it is the staff or visitors?

rent lifts... example at the side door to the large hall and middle hall. Or ramps. though ramps could make it challenging if to steep a slope. But ponder options is a MUST. Should we keep the Estonian House better and more fluid solutions can be installed during renovations.

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