Understanding and Meeting the Needs of the Older Population: A Global Challenge

Published in the Canadian Journal of Geriatrics, v. 16(2), 2013, this objective of this article is to present the impact of the aging population on health-care systems in both developed and developing countries, and to discuss potential strategies to address the resulting challenges.

The Canadian Geriatrics Journal (CGJ) is a peer-reviewed publication that is a home for innovative aging research of a high quality aimed at improving the health and the care provided to older persons residing in Canada and outside our borders. The CGJ is targeted to family physicians with training or an interest in the care of older persons, specialists in geriatric medicine, geriatric psychiatrists, and members of other health disciplines with a focus on gerontology.  http://cgjonline.ca/index.php/cgj/article/view/60/126

Many Degrees of Policy Freedom: The Federal Government’s Role in Care for Seniors

Published in November, 2011 as part of the Institute for Research on Public Policy,   IRPP Study Series this study by Harvey Lazar explore the imblance between the demand and supply of care for seniors.

He argues that although researchers have been warning of the aging of Canada’s population for decades, governments do not yet have an overarching policy strategy to deal with the profound, long-term socio-economic implications of this demographic shift, or its more immediate impact. He examines how the imbalance will grow and the need to re-evaluate the federal government’s policy role.

http://www.irpp.org/pubs/IRPPstudy/IRPP_Study_no24.pdf

Population Aging and the Evolving Care Needs of Older Canadians An Overview of the Policy Challenges

IRPP Study, no. 21, October 2011

As the first members of Canada’s baby boom generation turn 65, the official age of retirement, this study by gerontologist Neena Chappell provides a timely overview of the main health and social policy challenges presented by population aging in three areas: informal care, formal care, and prevention.

There is much argument and debate among experts as to whether Canada’s existing public programs will be sustainable with the increases in the number of seniors and their higher than average use of health and social services.

Chappell first looks at the evolving care needs, and shows that in the coming years, more seniors will depend on fewer individuals to provide the care they need.

Developing policies that support the needs of informal caregivers is important. In addition, there is a need for formal long-term home care as lower fertility rates, increasing rates of divorce, remarriage and blended families may affect the provision of care by family members. The assumption that medical care is the most appropriate means to ensure the health of an aging population needs to be re-examined.

This paper was published by the IRPP. Founded in 1972, the Institute for research on Public Policy is an independent, national, bilingual, nonprofit organization. The IRPP seeks to improve public policy in Canada by generating research, providing insight and sparking debate on current and emerging policy issues facing Canadians and their governments.


http://www.irpp.org/pubs/IRPPstudy/IRPP_Study_no21.pdf

The Baby Boomers: A profile of Manitoba’s new generation of seniors

From the University of Manitoba Centre on Aging Summer 2011 newsletter:

Much discussion has arisen around the bulge in the current population referred to as the “baby boomers.” Baby boomers are those individuals born between 1946 and 1964; 2011 marks the year that the first of the baby boomers turn 65 years of age. 

Questions of social concern have naturally arisen, such as how to deal with the financial strain of burgeoning healthcare needs and how best to anticipate changes in the job-market as a large portion of the population consider retirement. 

This report has been compiled to help create a picture of the baby-boomers today and by doing so, better understand what they, as a group, may be like in years to come. 

The report focuses on Manitobans between the ages of 45 and 64. In some sections, comparisons are made between those 45 to 54 years of age and those 55 to 64 years of age and in a few cases those aged 65 and over. The 2010 Profile of Manitoba’s Seniors provides detailed information on individuals in Manitoba aged 65 and over. 

Download the report from www.umanitoba.ca/centres/aging

World Population Aging 2009

As the proportion of the world’s population in the older ages continues to increase, the need for improved information and analysis of demographic ageing increases. Knowledge is essential to assist policy makers define, formulate and evaluate goals and programmes, and to raise public awareness and support for needed policy changes.

This report provides an overview of population ageing worldwide, focusing on trends relevant for public policy. Particular attention is given to the course of the ageing process, which has not been the same in all countries. There has been considerable variation in the timing, levels and patterns of population ageing.

The report includes:

• The demographic determinants and speed of population aging;
• The changing balance among age groups;
• The demographic profile of the older population;
• The socio-economic characteristics of the older population.

http://www.un.org/esa/population/publications/WPA2009/WPA2009_WorkingPaper.pdf