Download Why We Are Worried: Older Canadians

Why we are Worried: The Facts
Older Canadians at risk
Perhaps no factor leaves older Canadians at more risk for poorer health than
poverty. Older Canadians are more vulnerable to poverty and have higher demands for home,
community and acute care services than any other group (CNA, 2011). About 70 per cent of seniors’
incomes are from fixed sources such as pensions and government supplements (National Seniors
Council, 2009, p.5,). For many older people, costs for basic day-to-day living can be a challenge.
“Almost one in five seniors lives near the poverty line” (Public Health Agency of Canada [PHAC], 2006,
p. 1). As the number of Canadians over age 65 increases, the issue of poverty, as bot h a social and a
fiscal problem, will intensify (Conference Board of Canada, 2009).
The ability of older people to afford a proper diet, housing and medication, as well as to access support
services and care, is considerably influenced by poverty, which in turn, negatively affects health
(National Seniors Council, 2009, p. i-ii).
Social isolation and loneliness can lead to depression among older people (Conn, 2002). Older men
are particularly at risk for suicide (Heisel et al., 2006, p. S65). It has been no ted that “approximately
1,000 older adults are admitted to Canadian hospitals each year as a consequence of intentional self harm, but it is not known how often older people in Canada harm themselves without being admitted to
hospital” (Heisel et al., 2006, p. S65).
Abuse of older people, which is seriously under-reported, is also of concern (Lai, 2008, p. 3). Abuse
and neglect can take many forms (e.g., physical, sexual, emotional, financial) and take place in many
settings (at home, in the community or in institutions) (Special Senate Committee on Aging [Senate
Committee], 2009, p. 26). It has been found that “although some seniors fall victim to fraudulent
behaviour on the part of strangers, most abuse comes from people in positions of trust who are well
known to the senior, such as other family members” (Senate Committee, 2009, p. 26). Seniors may be
abused by their caregivers who are unable to manage the many stresses of providing care (Senate
Committee, 2009, p. 26). Abuse and neglect in institutional settings may happen as a result of staffing
shortages or inadequate staff training (Senate Committee, 2009, p. 27).
Did you know…

“Income, housing, food insecurity, and social exclusion are four major determinants in
generating and reproducing health inequalities over the life” (Muntaner, Ng, & Chung, 2012).

Poverty rates among the elderly are highest among those living alone, women over the age
of 80, visible minorities and immigrants (National Advisory Council on Aging, 2005, p. 8).

Aboriginal people face premature aging and lower life expectancy (PHAC, 2006, p. 13).
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References
Canadian Nurses Association. (2011). Aging: National aging strategy. Ottawa: Author. Retrieved from
http://23072.vws.magma.ca/Elections2011/lev3/1_2-national_aging_strategy.html
Conference Board of Canada. (2009). Elderly poverty. Ottawa: Author. Retrieved from
http://www.conferenceboard.ca/hcp/details/society/elderly-poverty.aspx
Conn, D. (2002). An overview of common mental disorders among seniors. Writings in gerontology - National Advisory Council on Aging.
Cited in: Canadian Mental Health Association. Seniors and depression. Retrieved from
http://www.ontario.cmha.ca/seniors.asp?cID=5800
Heisel, M., Grek, A., Moore, S., Jackson, F., Vincent, G., Malach F., et al. (2006). National guidelines for seniors’ mental health: The
assessment of suicide risk and prevention of suicide. Canadian Journal of Geriatrics, 9(Supplement 2), S65-70. Retrieved from
http://www.ccsmh.ca/pdf/final%20supplement.pdf
Lai, S. (2008). Elder abuse and policing issues: A review of the literature. Toronto: United Senior Citizens of Ontario Inc. Retrieved from
http://www.uscont.ca/pdf/elder_abuse_and_policing_issues.pdf
Muntaner, C., Ng, E., & Chung, H. (2012). Better care: An analysis of public policy and programming focusing on the determinants of health and
health outcomes that are effective in achieving the healthiest populations. Ottawa: Canadian Health Services Research Foundation and
Canadian Nurses Association.
National Advisory Council on Aging. (2005). Seniors on the margins: Aging in poverty in Canada. Ottawa: Public Health Agency of Canada.
Retrieved from http://dsp-psd.pwgsc.gc.ca/Collection/H88-5-3-2005E.pdf
National Seniors Council. (2009). Report of the National Seniors Council on low income among seniors. Ottawa: Government of Canada.
Retrieved from http://www.seniorscouncil.gc.ca/eng/research_publications/low_income/2009/hs1_9/hs1_9.pdf
Public Health Agency of Canada. (2006). Healthy aging in Canada: A new vision, a vital investment from evidence to action.
Ottawa: Author. Retrieved from http://www.health.gov.nl.ca/health/publications/vision_rpt_e.pdf
Special Senate Committee on Aging (2009). Canada’s aging population: Seizing the opportunity: Final report. Ottawa: Author.
Retrieved from http://www.parl.gc.ca/Content/SEN/Committee/402/agei/rep/AgingFinalReport-e.pdf