CCBI News – Canadian Seniors in a Changing World

October 28, 2022

Dear Friends of CCBI,

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Canadian Seniors in a Changing World

CCBI has often used material from the Canadian Institute for Ageing (Toronto Metropolitan University), especially that of Dr Samir Sinha who holds dear the welfare of Canada’s senior citizens and is often heard speaking on their behalf in the media. Support for his views and those of CCBI’s and others in advocating for ageing in place and for more access to community health and palliative care comes from an unexpected quarter this week, i.e., from a group of students at UBC’s School of Journalism, Writing and Media.

Reflecting on the toll that COVID-19 took on Canada’s senior citizens, the group decided to take a more in-depth look at the surrounding circumstances, and, although their sample group was small, they arrived at some interesting conclusions. They based their report on the fact that “…the world is getting older, and at a remarkably quick pace. For the first time in history, there are more people on the planet over the age of 60 than there are under the age of five.” Not only that, but they use demographic charts to point out that the number of people aged 60-69 is expected to grow between 2020-2030 from one billion to 1.4 billion, then jump to 2.1 billion by 2050.

The group points out that the situation is worse in Canada, since there are more people aged 65+ than 15 and under. According to the statistics they quote, “the two fastest-growing demographic groups in this country are centenarians and their slightly younger brethren in the 85-and-up group.”

Their conclusions are not about ageism, of course, but about the much deeper concern that, while living longer, older people are not necessarily living better. They point out the already well-known fact in the field of healthcare that the last ten to twelve years of such seniors’ lives often include living with significant physical and mental disabilities.

Recognizing that not only the number of years lived is relevant, Statistics Canada also looks at health-adjusted life expectancy, (HALE), which estimates the years one is likely to live without ‘significant pain, or loss of mobility, dexterity or cognition.’

More people are realizing that older people want, in the young journalists’ words, “… to be engaged, not marginalized. To be active, not housebound or institutionalized. To be connected to their community, not isolated and lonely.” Their report reminds us that while society continues to spend a lot of money on health care for seniors in the later stages of life, it spends “… far less on keeping them healthy in the first place with nutrition, housing and income support programs.” It is a hopeful sign that younger groups see the importance of providing better social, not only health care, for seniors, and perhaps they will be successful in bringing these concerns to the attention of government in addition to the groups who have been systematically advocating precisely these remedies. Not that the latter groups are to be faulted, but it seems that society and politicians are not responding to the degree that they could or should!

A few months ago, Dr Rory Fisher wrote several articles explaining how social care could be extended in combination with health care in achieving better living standards for senior citizens. We’ve listed Dr Fisher’s articles again, below, since they state the same concerns as these young journalists.

From a Catholic perspective, Pope Francis has called several times for an alliance between the young and the old, believing they have much to offer one another and asking them to dialogue. Some young people are taking this to heart of their own accord, and this could prove useful over the long haul if they keep this focus and continue to advocate for Canada’s senior citizens. A fresh ‘take’ on a growing problem is to be welcomed.

An important feature of the group’s methodology is that it reflects a new emphasis in our Church on synodality: the young journalists realized older people were being ‘talked about’ rather than being included in discussions relevant to their social and physical health care, so decided to gather statistics from professional sources, but also to conduct direct interviews with some elderly people. The phrase, ‘Nothing about us without us’ has resonance in general these days, including with older citizens. it makes sense to listen to what they want and try to accommodate those wishes where possible.

In an address, the pope said, “…it is painful — and harmful — to see that the ages of life are conceived of as separate worlds, in competition among themselves, each one seeking to live at the expense of the other: this is not right.” He continued: “May the elderly have the joy of speaking, of expressing themselves with the young, and may the young seek out the elderly to receive the wisdom of life from them.”

In addressing young people elsewhere, the Pope invited them: “Dream and live, be free and authentic, be the critical conscience of society!” It is encouraging to discover that there are younger groups in society that are taking the welfare of senior citizens to heart and that are prepared to bring those concerns to the attention of the wider society. May they continue to inspire their immediate elders to do likewise!

Growing Older | Global Reporting Program

Dr Rory Fisher
Articles written by Dr Fisher in earlier editions of CCBI News www.ccbi-utoronto.ca:

CCBI News, March 18, 2022 The Elderly & Society; Horizons of Hope; LTC Matters; Indigenous—Learn!
The Reform of Long-Term Care
Dr Rory Fisher
https://www.ccbi-utoronto.ca/2022/03/18/ccbi-news-the-elderly-horizons-of-hope-ltc-matters-indigenous-learn/

CCBI News, March 25, 2022 Decisions—Palliative Care; Mental Health Problems, Euthanasia; Aging Well—Denmark; Indigenous Health
Aging Well in Denmark
Dr Rory Fisher
https://www.ccbi-utoronto.ca/2022/03/25/ccbi-news-decisions-palliative-care-mental-health-problems-euthanasia-aging-well-denmark-indigenous-health/

CCBI News, April 1, 2022 Eldercare, Accompaniment, Aging Well; Ecology—Health; Housing—Health Nunavut
Aging Well in Arnsberg
Dr Rory Fisher
https://www.ccbi-utoronto.ca/2022/04/01/ccbi-news-eldercare-accompaniment-aging-well-ecology-health-housing-health-nunavut/

CCBI News, April 8, 2022 COVID; Dementia/Advance Care Plans; Technology/Care—Elderly; Disease/Ecological Disruption; Importance/Apology Spiritual Health
Technology and Care of the Elderly in Denmark
Dr Rory Fisher
https://www.ccbi-utoronto.ca/2022/04/08/ccbi-news-covid-dementia-advance-care-plans-technology-care-elderly-disease-ecological-disruption-importance-apology-spiritual-health/

CCBI News, April 29, 2022 Jordan’s Principle—Health Care Reform; Home Care Problems; Infection Risk—Unvaccinated; Parks/Health (reference to Dr Fisher’s work)
https://www.ccbi-utoronto.ca/2022/04/29/ccbi-news-jordans-principle-health-care-reform-home-care-problems-infection-risk-unvaccinated-parks-health/

CCBI News, May 6, 2022: Abortion; Euthanasia; Aging in Japan; Inuit Eldercare
Aging in Japan
Dr Rory Fisher
https://www.ccbi-utoronto.ca/2022/05/06/ccbi-news-abortion-euthanasia-aging-in-japan-inuit-eldercare/

CCBI News, May 20, 2022 The Elderly: In Canada: Inquest; Wisdom; Catholic Social Teaching; Future LTC Homes
Future Long-Term Care Home
Dr Rory Fisher
https://www.ccbi-utoronto.ca/2022/05/20/ccbi-news-the-elderly-in-canada-inquest-wisdom-catholic-social-teaching-future-ltc-homes/

CCBI News, June 13, 2022: Independence in Old Age; Providing Good Palliative Care; Euthanasia—Extension
Maintaining Independence in Old Age
Dr Rory Fisher
https://www.ccbi-utoronto.ca/2022/06/13/ccbi-news-independence-in-old-age-providing-good-palliative-care-euthanasia-extension/

CCBI News, June 24, 2022 The Elderly: Social Isolation, Adverse Health Effects, Accompaniment, Care; Francis on Aging; Heat Waves and Seniors
Heat Waves and Seniors
Dr Rory Fisher
https://www.ccbi-utoronto.ca/2022/06/24/ccbi-news-the-elderly-social-isolation-adverse-health-effects-accompaniment-care-francis-on-aging-heat-waves-and-seniors/

Pope Francis
Pope Francis: An alliance between old and young will save the family | Catholic News Agency
Pope Francis tells young people: ‘Dream and live, be free and authentic, be the critical conscience of society.’ | America Magazine

Pope Francis’ Intention for October

A Church Open to Everyone
We pray for the Church; ever faithful to, and courageous in preaching the Gospel, may the Church be a community of solidarity, fraternity and welcome, always living in an atmosphere of synodality.

Moira and Bambi