Understanding the quality of
Not at all Satisfi ed 2%
Somewhat Dissatisfi ed 9%
Satisfi ed 39%
life I 92 2015 REPORT ON SOUTHEAST ALBERTA
Neutral 9%
ALEX MCCUAIG
t was a report four years in the making with the daunting task of looking at all aspects of the quality of life for citizens of Brooks and the surrounding County of Newell. In late October 2014, Grasslands Regional Family and Community
Support Services (FCSS) presented its hefty 124 page report, not including dozens of more pages contained in its supplemental sub-reports on the standard of life in the region.
“The Quality of Life report research began with the feeling we needed it as a means to increase understanding of our community,” said Lynn Pye-Matheson, executive director of Grasslands FCSS.
“We wanted to do it in such a way that it was reflective of gathering information from the public, business and social sectors.”
That information gathering aspect saw the report authors collect surveys from Brooks and across the smaller Newell County communities and gathering spots like the Patricia Hotel, Scandia Museum and Rolling Hills Golf Club.
The more than 1,000 surveys returned gave the report’s authors a starting point to reflect where the community was, said Pye-Matheson, and issues people thought were important.
The report also looked at the demographics of the community, languages spoken in the area with a large immigrant population and the
Satisfi ed 11%
Very Not Satisfi ed 3%
satisfaction of citizens with the services provided and if their needs were being met.
“What’s reflected in the report is what the residents told us,” said Pye- Matheson.
One the challenges faced by the community and identified by the report is not so much the ability to get specialized healthcare services but getting transportation to them.
While the region is served primarily by the Brooks Health Centre, lesser so by the Bassano Hospital, most specialized services are only offered in places like Medicine Hat, Lethbridge and Calgary that are between 100 and 150 kilometres away. And like many other rural communities, the report identified issues with attracting and retaining doctors as a continuing challenge.
But when it comes to overall personal well-being in the community, the report also found area residents are satisfied with what the community has to offer with a nearly 79 per cent positive response, according to the report.
Pye-Matheson said the report represents, “a desire to develop a better understanding of our community that would be useful information for across the sectors.”
And also a starting point for people interested in the area to find out more.
Both the main and community snapshot reports can be found by visiting
livenewell.com. ■
Somewhat Satisfi ed 27%
Satisfied Neutral
Not Satisfied Very Satisfied Somewhat satisfied Somewhat Dissatisfied Not at all satisfied
41156712•03/31/15
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