Part of the NWT SeniorsSA国际影视传媒� SocietySA国际影视传媒檚 focus is to ensure that senior citizens can be mobile and access basic services both within and outside the home. 

Suzette Montreuil, executive director of NWT Seniors' Society, said geography and climate add to the challenge in the territory. 

SA国际影视传媒淭he geography really works against us in that regard because it usually comes down to  the snow or mud,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淥bviously, when we have lots of snow, the snowfall can get in the way, which poses problems for mobility or people in a wheelchair. Those are ongoing issues and we are really called to be on top of that because if you were trying to go out with a walker or using a manual wheelchair, going through snow can be impossible.SA国际影视传媒�

The design of streets and sidewalks also needs special attention for pedestrians and seniors, minimizing slants and curves in their design that can make conditions slippery and difficult to travel for older people, especially those with walkers or wheelchairs, she said. 

Double doors 

Another common theme Montreuil hears from seniors is the issue of manually-operated double doors, usually found at the entrance of establishments.  

SA国际影视传媒淚f you are using a walker, that is not easy and the best option is having push-button doors SA国际影视传媒� like at the post office SA国际影视传媒� because it makes it much easier to get through,SA国际影视传媒� she said. 

Improvements have been made over the years with ramps and handrails to help seniors access facilities, including in ensuring that they are added to the National Building Code, according to Montreuil. However, there have been common occurrences, she said, where ramps arenSA国际影视传媒檛 maintained properly. 

SA国际影视传媒淚SA国际影视传媒檝e seen so many in the NWT that are snow packed and inaccessible. We have to recognize where we live and stand up for and support our Elders with mobility problems and clear the ramps," she said.  SA国际影视传媒淩amps are now part of the building code so businesses have to have them as part of their entrance. But to think about ramps is to think about ensuring they are cleared for snow and have proper light and a solid surface to build a ramp on. You donSA国际影视传媒檛 want slippery conditions, which would be the worst situation you can have and that is vital to building access if not on the ground floor.SA国际影视传媒�

Typically, building a ramp when the building is constructed rather than at a later date is more ideal because it means that the ramp is part of the overall design and not an afterthought, she said.

Cultural access 

Montreuil said access also has to do with being able to engage and relate with other people, and this is especially the case with Indigenous people and Elders. She has repeatedly that Indigenous Elders wanting to be able to eat traditional food and have the ability to communicate in local languages is particularly important. 

SA国际影视传媒淭his can often be difficult to do or provide if you are not from their particular region,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淪o this is part of the reason why we believe Elders should be housed as close to home and that being in their home communities as they get older is the best choice.SA国际影视传媒� 

Being tied to traditional activities is also important she noted. 

SA国际影视传媒淚f Elders are doing something that is unknown to them, it makes a difference as to whether they are interested or not interested, so things like sewing or beading or carving or even doing things with furs that they have known all of their life are also important.SA国际影视传媒�