Getting older is enormously popular. Everyone is doing it.
I’m paraphrasing a comment made by Carole Osero-Ageng’o, a guest speaker from Kenya at the inaugural RTOERO Future of Aging Summit we hosted last May.
It’s no secret that Canada’s population is aging. By the end of this decade, 25 per cent of Canadians will be over the age of 65. Through the work of the Board of Directors and local districts, we have been raising our voices ever higher to bring attention to the needs of older people.
Internationally, we joined the Canadian delegation making the case to the United Nations General Assembly for a convention on the rights of older people. Such a convention would provide a framework to promote and safeguard the rights of older adults to healthcare, social protection and employment.
Here at home, we have been active in calling for a national seniors strategy to address the challenges of income insecurity, healthy aging and geriatric healthcare.
Many seniors face financial challenges. Nearly a third of single seniors, many of whom are women, meet the definition of low income. Ensuring that more Canadians have access to good pensions and affordable housing is crucial.
For older adults, promoting active lifestyles, social inclusion, mental well-being, age-friendly communities and coping with change will help to ensure healthy aging.
Meeting the healthcare needs of an aging population requires a rethink. With only 300 geriatricians working in Canada, we need to graduate more specialists. As well, a wide range of healthcare professionals, such as general practitioners, need more training on serving the seniors’ population.
You’ll find a comprehensive discussion on these and other issues on our website, under the tab “Advocacy.” If you haven’t already, I encourage you to visit the page and to become a champion for a resilient and compassionate future for our aging population.
Together we can make a difference.
John
