Seniors are officially considered people over 65 years of age in Canada, but a growing number of 55 year-olds are preparing and watching the issues they’ll be dealing with in the not too distant future.
Canada is one of the western countries with a significant aging baby boom bulge, and this demographic is increasingly becoming a powerful group. One of the wealthiest and healthiest in Canadian history, seniors are generally very politically engaged, and they vote.
Wealthiest and healthiest
Sarah Park is director of Strategic Communications at CARP, the Canadian Association of Retired People. She says seniors are being courted by each of the major political parties with promises and policies catering to their needs.
ListenCARP created an effective tool for seniors. A list of the issues of chief concern can be hung from their door handle, informing local candidates, when they’re campaigning, that these are the issues of concern to dweller. Sarah Park says the political parties have been targeting seniors with specific policies.
The Conservative Party introduced income splitting which was a big help to many senior couples financially, allowing them to pay taxes on the income shared between the two parties. During this campaign they have suggested a tax credit for single seniors and loosening the rules and lightening the penalties on registered retirement income funds.
The New Democratic Party is promising new investments in health care, with more money allocated for home care and increased access to long-term care for those who need it.
The Liberal Party has promised increases to the various senior income supplements, such as the Canada Pension Plan, Old Age Security and the Guaranteed Income Supplement.
Health Care is a major issue for most Canadians. As a provincial jurisdiction, services can vary greatly depending on where you live in the country. Sarah Park says Ontario has the best drug coverage for seniors. Demands for increased funding and setting standards would help to equalize the variations in services and wait times.
Social isolation is a challenge for many elders who may face mobility issues or, as immigrants, have language barriers. There are growing demands for increased awareness and funding to support the delivery of home care services and visits
Park cites a project in Ontario where the government worked with the Alzheimers Society to produce information for people facing Alzheimers and dementia, and their families, in several languages beyond just English and French
For reasons beyond our control, and for an undetermined period of time, our comment section is now closed. However, our social networks remain open to your contributions.