To the Editor:
The MD of St. Paul Foundation Management are not following their own policy “that only seniors are allowed in seniors’ lodging.” These structures were built by the Alberta Government and officially opened by Hon. H.J. Yurko, Minister of Housing & Public Works, strictly for seniors in specific communities. Anyone allowed to reside in these seniors’ lodging, in my opinion, is breaking policy. I presume seniors are considered 65 years and older.
Younger people who are not seniors should not be allowed in these dwellings. Why are they being allowed?
Most seniors have a slower pace in their last days of their lives. Anyone younger allowed in have different attitudes, leading to bullying of older people, and basically are not compatible in seniors’ dwellings.
Younger people in the dwelling create a pressure atmosphere on older people; they have different ideas. I am certain there are other options for younger people with special conditions who would be considered by other government agencies.
To conclude, the basic idea of the MD of St. Paul Foundation to fill rooms is not acceptable. I realize bills have to be paid, but more options should be explored to ensure only seniors reside in these buildings.
Final note: when I moved into Buckingham in June of 2014, the manager at the time told me I had to be 65-years-old.
Carmine Maglione Sr.
Buckingham House, Elk Point
*Note – According to Brigitte Sakaluk, CAO for the MD of St. Paul Foundation, the MD’s policy allows people with “low income and social need” to stay in the self-contained units at Buckingham House, with the understanding that if a person 65 or over needs to use the facility, people who are under that age are given a three-month notice period to vacate to accommodate the senior. The issue is to be discussed at an upcoming board meeting, she says.
