Getting Ready for the Boomers:

Impact of an Aging Population

Valerie White RSWChief Executive OfficerNova Scotia Department of Seniors

November 6, 2008

The Impact of Population Aging on:

• Society

• Community Development

• Recreation

How can we plan for the coming change?

Getting Ready for the Boomers• NS Department of Seniors (History and Mandate)• An Aging Population and the Health Implications• Nova Scotia’s Aging Population• Department of Seniors Response to our Aging

Population• Who are Baby Boomers and Zoomers?• The Impact of an Aging Population on Society,

Community Development and Recreation• How can Nova Scotia Plan for the Coming Change?

Leadership• NS Seniors’ Citizens Secretariat established in 1980 by an Act of the Nova Scotia Legislature

• NS Department of Seniors was created in September 2007 by Order in Council. – Minister of NS Dept. of

Seniors and Chairperson of the Seniors’ Secretariat

The Honourable Carolyn Bolivar-Getson

Honourable Rodney MacDonald, Premier of Nova Scotia

Nova Scotia Department of Seniors• Seniors Citizens Secretariat (became the NS Seniors’ Secretariat)

established in 1980 by an Act of the Nova Scotia Legislature.

• Ministers of Seniors’ Secretariat - Honourable Carolyn Bolivar-Getson (Chairperson)

-The Honourable Barry Barnet, Minister of Health Promotion & Protection-The Honourable Chris d’Entremont, Minister of Health-The Honourable Karen Casey, Minister of Education-The Honourable Jamie Muir, Minister of Service NS and Municipal Relations

-The Honourable Cecil P. Clarke, Attorney General and Minister of Justice -The Honourable Judy Streatch, Minister of Community Services

Department of Seniors

Mission StatementThe mandate of the Department of Seniors is to

facilitate the planning and development of services and programs for seniors by:

• coordinating plans, policies and programs presented by departments of the provincial government

• developing plans, policies and programs for and with seniors in partnership with the responsible departments of government, other provincial groups and voluntary seniors' groups

Department of Seniors

• Provincial Department responsible for seniors.• Serves as a single entry point.• Provides information and consultation for

seniors and government.• Role includes consultation, coordinating,

planning, policy development and development of programs and services for seniors.

Department of Seniors

• Leads the implementation of Nova Scotia’s Strategy for Positive Aging and the Elder Abuse Strategy: Towards Awareness and Prevention

• Provides information about programs and services for seniors

• Listens and responds to the concerns of seniors and others by working to develop solutions to issues and problems

Department of Seniors

• Publications• Strategy for Positive Aging in Nova Scotia • Elder Abuse Strategy: Towards Awareness

and Prevention• Programs for Seniors (annual directory) • Directory of NS Seniors’ Clubs and Councils• Seniors’ Statistical Profile• Quarterly Newsletter• Senior Abuse E-Bulletin

• Seniors’ Literacy Networks• Health Literacy Manual

A guide (2005) for planning for Nova Scotia’s aging population over the next 10 to 15 years.

Strategy continued…

• More than 1,000 Nova Scotians provided direct input into creating

• Strategy contains vision, guiding principles, nine goals, 190 societal actions

• Strategic Goals– Celebrating Seniors– Financial Security– Health and Well-Being– Maximizing Independence– Housing Options– Transportation– Respecting Diversity– Employment and Life

Transitions– Supportive Communities

Senior Abuse Awareness and Prevention

Nova Scotia Seniors’ Secretariat:

Elder Abuse Strategy: Towards Awareness and Prevention

November 2, 2005

Senior Abuse Awareness and Prevention

• Provincial Senior Abuse Advisory Committee• Presentations• Toll Free Line – June 15, 2007• Printed materials – June 2007• Awareness campaign- 2008

– TV PSA - Financial– Bus ads - Halifax, Kings Co., Sydney– Radio message

An Aging Population

One of the most dramatic demographic trends in the

world today is the aging of our population.

Reasons for this trend include:

• the aging of the “Baby Boomer” population;

• increases in life expectancy;

• changes in fertility patterns and;

• the out-migration of youth in certain geographical locations.

(http://atlas.nrcan.gc.ca/site/english/maps/health/ruralhealth/agingpop/1)

Overall Health Implications of an Aging population

• Increases in diseases and disabilities associated with aging and the consequent need to provide care for chronic physical and mental health problems

• Changes in the skill sets of health care providers required to respond to the needs of our aging population

• Changes in the delivery of health care services, particularly increased long-term care beds/facilities (6% of seniors are in long-term care)

• An increase in the number of caregivers (unpaid family and friends) and the need to provide supports to those caregivers

Over the next decades, our aging population will challenge health and socialservice leaders and policy-makers to respond to the above implications.

(http://atlas.nrcan.gc.ca/site/english/maps/health/ruralhealth/agingpop/1)

Nova Scotia’s Aging Population

• Nova Scotia has the highest percentage of seniors in Atlantic Canada and the second highest in Canada (Strategy for Positive Aging, 2005, p. 13)

• Seniors are the fastest growing segment of Nova Scotia’s population (Strategy for Positive Aging, 2005, p. 13)

[More than 700 Nova Scotians turn 65 each month]

• Although the total population of Nova Scotia is expected to grow by only 3% between 2005 and 2026, the seniors’ population is projected to grow by 80 % (Strategy for Positive Aging, 2005, p. 13)

Nova Scotia’s Aging Population

• Seniors will comprise 25% of Nova Scotia’s population by 2026 (Strategy for Positive Aging, 2005, p. 13)

• The ratio of women to men drastically increases with age so that in the 85+ age group, there are 277 women for every 100 men (Strategy for Positive Aging, 2005, p. 13)

• Guysborough County is the oldest county in Nova Scotia with 20% seniors; Halifax is the youngest at 11.3% (Strategy for Positive Aging, 2005, p. 13)

The Department of Seniors Response to an Aging Population

• The publication of two Strategies to guide Nova Scotia’s work to respond to the needs of an aging population-Strategy for Positive Aging in Nova Scotia -Elder Abuse Strategy: Towards Awareness and

Prevention

• Ongoing work with the Federal/Provincial/Territorial Ministers Responsible for Seniors, F/P/T working groups work to identify and address issues that impact our aging population and advise the F/P/T Ministers accordingly

• Regular consultation with the senior population at our Spring and Fall Consultation during which we consult with seniors clubs, councils and organizations to learn about the issues that impact seniors lives

The Department of Seniors Response to an Aging Population

• Regular consultation with the Group of IX. Group of IX members have a province-wide mandate and are affiliated with a national parent organization. Their role is to strengthen the voice and presence of seniors in government decision making.

• The development of three new grant programs in 2008-Positive Aging Fund-Age-Friendly Communities Program-Senior Safety Grant

Positive Aging Fund• supports non-profit community based organizations

in their delivery of programs which advance the Strategy for Positive Aging by promoting the health, well-being and community participation of seniors

• available to a maximum of $10,000 and will cover up to 100% of the project’s costs

Deadline for applications: November 21, 2008Grants awarded: January 12, 2009

• The Age-friendly notion originated from a project of the World Health Organization (WHO) – the Age-Friendly Cities project which held consultations in 33 cities in 22 countries. Halifax, NS was one of the sites included in the consultation.

• A ‘Checklist of Essential Features of Age-friendly Cities’ was developed so that cities can assess their level of ‘age-friendliness’.

(World Health Organization, Checklist of Essential Features of Age-friendly Cities, 2007)

• The Age-Friendly Rural & Remote Communities Initiative was a project of the FP/T Ministers Responsible for Seniors. The goal was to identify concrete indicators of an age-friendly community and produce a practical guide to stimulate advocacy, community development and policy change to make communities age-friendly.

• Eighty-six Nova Scotians (seniors, caregivers and service providers) were involved in both projects through focus groups.

Age-friendly Communities Program• assists municipalities to create and adapt accessible

structures and services to promote healthy active aging. This age-friendly initiative is based on the Department’s national and international work on age-friendly communities

• available to a maximum of 50% of the project costs up to $5,000; municipalities must match the funds contribution

Deadline for applications: December 15, 2008Grants awarded: January 12, 2009

Senior Safety Grant• A new initiative of the Departments of Seniors and Justice. The grant will

support: • the enhancement and/or expansion of existing Seniors’ Safety Program’s

services;• the expansion of Seniors’ Safety Programs to areas not currently served

and;• professional development for program coordinators will also be supported.• Seniors’ Safety Programs promote education and awareness about crime

prevention, senior abuse, safety and health issues and enhance communication between seniors and police. Seniors’ Safety Programs advance the Elder Abuse Strategy by providing resources and supports that respond to elder abuse.

• available to a maximum of $20,000

Deadline for applications: November 7, 2008Grants awarded: November 19, 2008

Who are Baby Boomers and Zoomers?

• Baby Boomers refers to those born during the post-war population boom between [1946-1964]. The baby boom peaked in 1957.

(Strategy for Positive Aging, 2005. p. 16)

• Baby Boomers are now 44-64 years of age; this has caused the demographic shift, which requires us to respond to the needs of an aging population

• Zoomers is the new term for Baby Boomers coined by Much Music creator and new CARP (Canadian Association of Retired Persons) Executive Director, Moses Znaimer.

Zoomers• Zoomer is the re-launch of the well respected

CARP (Canadian Association of Retired Persons) magazine (Zoomer No.1 October, 2008)

• Zoomer is the new state of mind of Boomers (Zoomer No.1 October, 2008)

• Zoomer refers to an “optimistic attitude that combines a desire for new experiences with a sense of purpose and value…(it)…recognizes the challenges of aging (and actively advocates for remedies to them), but also insists that aging doesn’t have to mean retreating from life.”(Zoomer No.1 October, 2008, p.12)

Zoomers

• Zoomers speak to, “…an attitude, an energy level, a sense of passion and purpose…) (Zoomer No. 1 October, 2008 p.12)

• “A Zoomer isn’t an idea we have to live up to; it’s a better way of expressing where we’ve been all along” (Zoomer No. 1 October, 2008 p.12)

Zoomers

• Znaimer calls the Zoomer mindset, “…a new vision of aging for Canada.” (Metronews, October, 16, 2008)

• Znaimer says, “The old vision had to do with the big ‘D’s – decline, disconnection, disassociation, followed by death.” (Metronews, October, 16, 2008)

• Znaimer wants Zoomers to embrace life and recognize that they are and have been active participants in their families and communities.

Who are Zoomers?

• CARP’s Vice President of Advocacy, Susan Eng says, “…(Zoomers)…are choosing to work longer than traditional retirement age. This is because many are living longer, healthier lives.” (

http://www.carp.ca/article_display.cfm?documentID=3047&CabinetID=263&LibraryID=70&cityID=7)

• “The Zoomer group – which comprises both Baby Boomers who are still under the age of 50 and the rest of the 50-plus population – represents over 14 million people in Canada. No other age group comes close in sheer numbers”. (http://www.carp.ca/article_display.cfm?documentID=3047&CabinetID=263&LibraryID=70&cityID=7)

Who are Zoomers?

• Zoomers are the largest market for several industries, including travel, real estate, health and beauty, automotive, home renovation and financial services. (http://www.carp.ca/article_display.cfm?documentID=3047&CabinetID=263&LibraryID=70&cityID=7)

• Eng says, “Zoomers account for more than half of all consumer spending and more than 70 per cent of all money in savings accounts.” (http://www.carp.ca/article_display.cfm?documentID=3047&CabinetID=263&LibraryID=70&cityID=7)

Who are Zoomers?

• Eng adds, “And as Zoomers look to make lifestyle changes, flexibility in working conditions such as part-time, seasonal and telecommuting (will) be attractive to workers.”(http://www.carp.ca/article_display.cfm?documentID=3047&CabinetID=263&LibraryID=70&cityID=7)

So how are Zoomers different from today’s generation of seniors?• Zoomers want to be meaningfully engaged in their

communities

• Zoomers are more physically active, recognizing the importance of physical activity in order to address today’s chronic health challenges

• Zoomers want to be employed longer; their improved longevity allows this

• Zoomers are a major contributor to our economy accounting for a substantial amount of consumer spending in various industries

The Impact of an Aging Population on Society

• We have discussed the health implications of an aging population and we have a picture of who Baby Boomers and Zoomers are.

• So what is the impact of an aging population on our society?

The Impact of an Aging Population on Society

• Population aging will dramatically impact numerous sectors of our society such as health, community development, the labour market, recreation, the media, the non-profit sector and volunteerism and public finances.

The Impact of an Aging Population on Society• Increased demand on the health care system • Increased need for community development strategies to respond to the

needs of aging communities• While a significant number of workers will retire, older workers of today

want to remain in the labour market longer• Increased recreational activity among the senior population to prevent

chronic health problems and address isolation • We are already beginning to see a shift in the media representation of

Baby Boomers • Seniors today want to be more engaged in their communities through

active and ongoing volunteerism• Increased demand on the health care system and other areas of

government which will need to respond to our aging population, will impact the financial resources of governments at all levels

The Impact of an Aging Population on SocietyCARP believes that proactive changes to employment related social policy wouldhelp employers retain Zoomer workers in the labour market. CARP believe these polices should:

• Encourage continued employment by relaxing pension and other rules; • Allow early pension payments while continuing to work as done in 2007 budget; • Allow contributions to CPP past 65; • Remove mandatory retirement nationwide – by 2009, all provinces except New

Brunswick will have removed it but there is no change announced yet for federally regulated industries;

• Change labour codes to protect workers over 65 years of age; • Enact and enforce anti-ageism policies.

(http://www.carp.ca/article_display.cfm?documentID=3047&CabinetID=263&LibraryID=70&cityID=7)

The Impact of an Aging Population on Society• The impact will require the ongoing

coordinated efforts of all levels of government and all sectors to:-improve the health and independence of Canadians in later life;

-ensure the participation of seniors in economic and social life;

-strengthen the supportive role of communities and;

-sustain government programs to benefit all members of society(Canada’s Aging Population, Health Canada in Collaboration with the Interdepartmental Committee on Aging and Seniors Issues, 2002)

The Impact of an Aging Population on Community Development• The out-migration of youth in some communities

coupled with an aging population means a dramatic shift in community demographics.

• Specific impacts include:- increased involvement of seniors in community volunteer organizations- increased involvement of seniors in community development initiatives- increased need for community developers to consider the needs of their aging population-increased need to adapt the ‘Age-friendly’ notion of communities to ensure services are accessible to our aging population

The Impact of an Aging Population on Community Development

• The province of Nova Scotia has a Community Development Policy which recognizes, “…that sustainable communities are crucial to the future strength and prosperity of the Province.” (Nova Scotia Community Development

Policy, p. 1)

The Impact of an Aging Population on Community Development

• Principals of the policy include: Local Leadership; Government Support; Collaborative Approach; Balance; Respect for Local Values; Social Inclusion; Transparency and Accountability; Partnerships and Shared Interests; Common Vision; Focus on Community Assets and; Volunteerism.(Nova Scotia Community Development Policy, p. 1)

The Impact of an Aging Population on Community Development

Specifically Social Inclusion is defined as:

“All community members, regardless of gender, age, disability, race, culture,

language or social and economic status have the opportunity to become engaged in the community development process and are

able to access its social and economic benefits.”

(Nova Scotia Community Development Policy, p. 1)

The Impact of an Aging Population on Community Development

• Given the principal of Social Inclusion, government and community members will need to be cognizant of the needs of an aging and diverse senior population and develop programs and services to meet their needs.

• This means involving seniors directly in the planning of programs and services to meet community needs.

The Impact of an Aging Population on Recreation

• The impact of population aging on recreation requires us to be pro-active and forward thinking in our response to the needs of our aging population.

The Impact of an Aging Population on Recreation

• An increased involvement of seniors in physical activities in order to prevent chronic health challenges

• Increased knowledge required of fitness instructors about the physiology of aging

• Requires government policy makers and community members to work collaboratively to support the development of and access to recreational programs

• Increased awareness by municipalities and towns about the concept of an ‘Age-friendly’ community in order to promote the recreational pursuits of the senior population

The Impact of an Aging Population on Recreation

• Some of the key recommendations in the Recreation Nova Scotia *Connecting Seniors to Active Living Project – Executive Summary include:-the development of a population-based physical activity strategy for all ages including seniors

-the development of a physical activity education and awareness campaign geared towards older adults

-the need to consider the specific needs of low-income seniors by offering affordable programs and reduced-fee structures

-the development of in-home activities or home-care exercise programs for seniors unable to attend community programming

-the need to advocate for by-laws and legislation requiring developers to provide green spaces and sidewalks

(a project of the Department of Seniors, Health Promotion and Protection and Physical Activity, Sport and Recreation, May, 2007)

The Impact of an Aging Population on Recreation• In June 2005 Premier Rodney MacDonald

(then Minister of Health Promotion) made a commitment following a request by the Board of Directors of Recreation Nova Scotia (RNS) to develop a Recreation Policy for the province of Nova Scotia.

• In response, the Department of Health Promotion and Protection is chairing an inter-departmental government committee to develop a Recreation Policy for the province.

How can Nova Scotia Plan for the Coming Change?

• Utilize the Strategy for Positive Aging and the Elder Abuse Strategy: Towards Awareness and Prevention to guide our work with the senior population over the next decade

• Continue our work with the F/P/T Ministers responsible for seniors working groups

• Involve seniors in the policy development process by engaging them regularly to learn about the issues that most impact their lives

• Be creative and strategic in the development of polices and programs that meets the needs of seniors today and into the future

How can Nova Scotia Plan for the Coming Change?• Promote inter-generational programs and

activities that foster respect and understanding between youth and seniors

• Involve all age groups in the planning of policies and programs to meet community needs

References:• Natural Resources Canada, The Atlas of Canada

http://atlas.nrcan.gc.ca/site/english/maps/health/ruralhealth/agingpop/1

• Strategy for Positive Aging In Nova Scotia, Seniors Secretariat Province of Nova Scotia, 2005

• World Health Organization, Checklist of Essential Features of Age-friendly Cities, 2007

• Zoomer No.1 October, 2008

• Metronews, October, 16, 2008

• CARP (Canadian Association of Retired Persons) website http://www.carp.ca/article_display.cfm?documentID=3047&CabinetID=263&LibraryID=70&cityID=7

• Canada’s Aging Population, Health Canada in Collaboration with the Inter-departmental Committee on Ageing and Seniors Issues, 2002

• Nova Scotia Community Development Policy, Nova Scotia Office of Economic Development, 2004

http://www.gov.ns.ca/econ/cdpolicy/docs/NovaScotiaCommunityDevelopmentPolicy.pdf

• Bursey, Alison (MA), Recreation Nova Scotia Connecting Seniors to Active Living Project – Executive Summary, Nova Scotia Department of Seniors, Nova Scotia Department of Health Promotion, & Protection, Physical Activity, Sport and Recreation, May, 2007

Birth of the Zoomer

“Body of a 65-year-old

Mind of a 45-year-old

Libido of a 25-year old

Heart of a teenager”

Moses Znaimer(CARP magazine, April 2008)

“Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter.”

Mark Twain

(Zoomer, No .1, October 2008 p.17)

Valerie White, CEO: (902) 424-6322

E-mail: valerie.white@gov.ns.ca

Nova Scotia Dept.of Seniors

1740 Granville Street, 4th Floor

PO Box 2065, Halifax, NS B3J 2Z1

Phone: (902) 424-0065

Toll-free: 1-800-670-0065

E-mail: scs@gov.ns.ca

Fax: (902) 424-0561

Website: www.gov.ns.ca/scs

Senior Abuse Line: 1-877-833-3377

Thank You!