OURS IS AN AGING POPULATION

Once again we are reminded that ours is an aging population.  As most of us would agree, this is an exciting time for British Columbians–after all,  it has been older citizens who have contributed significantly toward shaping the province, maintaining  its record of growth, social and economic diversity as well as  their ready willingness to give generously of both one’s  time and skills.

Every aspect of our society will in future be significantly impacted owing to the sheer magnitude of the demographic transformation which is currently taking place in this province.  The challenge facing us in dealing with a myriad of unmet needs, presents an exciting and unprecedented opportunity to make positive changes in attitudes toward seniors, throughout each of our communities.

According to the 2006 census, about a third of BC’s population is over the age of 50, whilst the proportion of children under 15 has been statistically registered as the lowest ever.  This means that within the next decade, there will be fewer school-aged children living here than persons over 65 and more of us will be retiring rather than actually entering the workforce. 

It is interesting to note that British Columbians are on record as having  one of the longest levels of life expectancies in the world, and at about the age of 81years,   the highest of any province in Canada.  Baby boomers constitute the largest age group within our population—nearly one out of three Canadians was a baby boomer in the year 2006, meaning that the first of the boomers will turn 65 just around the corner from now, in 2011. 

The current Provincial government, in an attempt to address this new reality, has now moved to establish a “Seniors’ Healthy Living Framework” designed to support our aging population over the upcoming years.  The Framework offers within its precept, four distinct cornerstones, namely that of Creating Age-friendly Communities; Promoting Healthy Living; Mobilizing and Supporting Volunteerism and also the Support of Older Workers.

In order to support proposed actions to take place within these cornerstones, the Province has now established a “Seniors’ Healthy Living Secretariat” which is situated within the Ministry of Healthy Living and Sports.  Its role will be to lead the implementation of the Framework, as well as to develop information services intended for seniors, engage with stakeholders, as well as monitoring and reporting on progress.

A further mandate of the Secretariat will be to explore innovative models aimed at helping older persons to remain living within their own homes and communities, often referred to as “Aging in Place.” 

Examples might include provision of non-medical home support services, keeping in mind that simple tasks such as housekeeping and yard work can make a significant different in maintaining one’s goal of healthy independence to the maximum degree possible. 

According to Ministry officials, preparing for an aging population is a shared responsibility, and implementing the Framework will no doubt involve many BC governmental ministries and agencies, the business sector, local and federal governments, as well as non-profit organizations and of course, individuals themselves.  

It was an honor to have been invited to attend and participate as an observer with opportunity to present comments and recommendations a few years ago, during the Premier’s Council on Aging and Seniors’ Issues conference, as a delegate from Nakusp and district.   It is encouraging to see that decided action as a result of receiving and recording input by those in attendance, or in any other way made possible at the time, is starting to take place now.   In the months ahead, my goal will be to provide an overview through this column, of the supportive programs and services being proposed.

By Marilyn Boxwell