Health care has been well-documented as a priority for everyone in all communities, just like here in Stettler.
While the new Points West Living seniors’ supportive-living complex is set to open its doors this spring, much concern and questions have been raised about how this will affect current continuing-care facilities and the jobs of several hundred people.
While concerns and unanswered questions keep on flowing and growing in Stettler and surrounding communities, I believe a community forum would provide the best opportunity for residents to ask questions to Alberta Health Services central zone vice-president Kerry Bales.
Points West Living officials would also benefit from presenting their plan and program of services to the community in a public forum to help dispel any misinformation or rumours that can often come out of the rumour mill.
While it appears that some employees might lose their jobs and seniors will be relocated, let’s hope and trust that the transition will create minimal negative impacts for everyone.
While people from all walks of life believe they have job security — think again.
However, when changes are made to provide more-efficient services, jobs always seem to be impacted, because the overall budget is largely comprised of wages and benefits.
Economically, too, many decisions that affect lives are made with the pocketbook and not the heart.
Ideally, wouldn’t it be a better world if decisions were made for human benefits and not just financial reasons?
Now with a somewhat unstable economy here in Alberta and across Canada, more people are expected to hit the unemployment line.
Too bad money causes so many of our problems in our personal lives, families and communities.
No matter what employees are told in any field, this world has no such thing as job security.
When I suddenly lost my beloved journalism job back in my hometown in 2010, I was later told by my career counsellor that people should never rely too much on their jobs, because it could be snuffed out at any time, no matter what field or employer.
Realistically, nothing in this world is secure — nothing lasts forever on this earth.
Some residents have expressed that many jobs from the hospital and care centre will be lost and employees and their families will move out of town and put the town’s future in jeopardy.
During this time when emotions can ride high, let’s all work together to do what’s best for the health of our aging residents and long-term future of Stettler and the region.
With the growing population of seniors, times are changing to address the needs of these aging adults who have been pillars in the province’s progress for generations. They deserved to be respected accordingly.
Wherever these facilities are being built in Alberta and across Canada, these bring many questions as long-term-care services transition from community hospitals.
— FROESE’N TIME