My wife and I are living daily with anxiety

A Sarnia-area couple share their fears about housing security as they approach retirement age while managing serious health challenges.

The news report on the desperate need for affordable houses for the low income, disabled and elderly is so difficult to handle for my common law companion and myself. My partner and I have been living relatively comfortable together sharing a 3 bedroom home. Due to health issues I have my own, she has her room, and home office for her full time job.

My wife has suffered a heat attack and is attending many follow up appointments. She is 63 years old and work is taking its toll and the stress is hurting her. I myself am 60 years old and on long term disability through my work Sunlife Insurance disability which runs out as soon as I turn 65. I am on my 3rd appeal now trying to be approved for CPPD.

The disability was due to to a very long, treatment,, complicated, painful recovery from head and neck cancer..Recently, approximately the 3rd week of August, I again was diagnosed with cancer, this time it is lymphoma..currently we are paying approximately $2000 plus household expenses. My wife and I are living daily with anxiety, worrying about what happens when we turn 65. After both of us, who have worked for most of our lives feel we will be living on the streets….it is so scary.