It was only six months ago when Hilda Reimer joyfully signed the paperwork for a condo at Chinook Manor.
“I thought, ‘This will be my final home’… I used to live here 40 years ago when it was a rental property,” she reminisced.
Sadly, during her winter move, Reimer suffered a broken pelvis.
Since then, she has been on the mend and eagerly awaiting the warmer weather to fully enjoy her new residence.
“I have a scooter for longer distances, and I was really looking forward to exploring. But here we are, confined to our homes,” she lamented.
Just days after celebrating her 82nd birthday, Reimer discovered that the building’s only elevator had malfunctioned.
She expected it to be repaired after the May long weekend, but three weeks have passed, and she has been stuck inside ever since.
“We’re trapped in our homes. This is a major hurdle — and it doesn’t just affect me; it impacts many residents in this building.”
During this challenging time, Reimer has missed crucial medical appointments. Her recovery has stalled, and friends can no longer visit.
“I can’t have friends over, and they can’t come to see me. Some of them are older and can’t manage stairs,” Reimer expressed.
“We’re just a bunch of old folks.”
There’s a particular occasion that Reimer would forever wish to relive.
“My ex-husband passed away in hospice not long ago,” she shared.
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“I couldn’t see him, and he was asking for me.”
“I will always regret that I couldn’t visit him.”
Reimer’s son, Darren DeLorme, has been by his mother’s side through the grieving process.
“This has added a lot of pressure on my mom, my dad, and me… because she couldn’t see him in hospice.”
Darren has spent much of the last three weeks assisting his mother and others in need.
“I’ve been helping her with laundry, which is in the basement… I assisted her in carrying a heavy suitcase up five floors, and I helped someone else with groceries… it’s just not fair,” he said.
“I don’t know how I would have managed without him,” Reimer said appreciatively.
She still has no updates on when the part needed to fix the elevator might come.
Many residents believe the building’s management is trying their best to resolve the issue, but they also feel it could have been prevented.
“This issue could have been addressed if the condo board had the necessary parts ready.”
“They were advised to upgrade parts but chose not to, and now we’re in this situation.”
Global News contacted Diversified Property Management, the company responsible for Chinook Manor.
When asked if they are prioritizing repair efforts, representatives chose not to comment.
The property is marketed as a community for individuals aged 40 and over.
While not strictly a seniors’ residence, DeLorme notes that many of his mother’s neighbors are elderly and facing similar obstacles.
“It makes sense that there’s a higher number of seniors living here given the age criteria.”
“I would urge the condo board president to survey the entire building to find out who would have bought a unit if it was a five-story walkup; I can assure you, nobody.”
Such issues are common for seniors, according to a local advocate.
“We work with partners who have state-of-the-art facilities,” said Larry Mathieson, president & CEO of Unison Alberta.
“However, many buildings in the province are older and have been around for years. Owners are often faced with safety or accessibility concerns.”
Unison experienced a similar situation a few years back.
“At our (Elder Abuse Shelter), we had to fully renovate the elevator—not only due to ongoing problems but also parts replacement issues. (Elevator repairs) require specialized skills,” Mathieson explained.
“Elevators like these, which have been in service for a long time, often face obsolescence in parts very quickly.”
Mathieson noted that his organization and others provide resources to seniors dealing with similar situations and having trouble resolving issues with their housing providers.
Reimer has only been able to enjoy the summer breeze from her third-floor balcony, but she remains hopeful for a brighter future.
“It’s a lovely home, but come on — life must be lived, especially as you age… because you never know how much longer you have.”
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