Epidemiology of Aging in Canada

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Epidemiology of Aging in Canada
John Puxty, Queens University puxtyj_at_post.queensu.
ca
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Learning Objectives

• By the end of this section, the student will be
  able to demonstrate knowledge of various
  socioeconomic parameters involved in aged and
  aging individuals including
• main causes for current and future demographic
  trends within Canada
• importance of factors such as housing, finance
  and nutrition as predictors of health and
  wellness
• role of seniors within Canadian Society
• impact of illness on functional independence

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One in Seven Canadians soon to be One in Four
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Proportion of Population Worldwide Over 65 Years
of Age
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• Aging Demographics in Canada 1991-2041

of Total Population
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Why do we have an Aging Population?

• Increased Life Expectancy

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Why do we have an Aging Population?

• Increased Life Expectancy
• Reduced birth rate now
• Aging of baby boomers

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Population Age Distribution
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Why do we have an Aging Population?

• Increased Life Expectancy
• Reduced birth rate now
• Aging of baby boomers
• Reduced immigration rate
• Immigration has been major cause of population
  growth. Approximately 3 of immigrant in 1996
  were seniors

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Distribution of Elderly in 2001
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The Elderly within Canada in 2001

• 75 of all seniors live in Ontario, Quebec, and
  British Columbia
• Only 17 of seniors found in rural areas (c.f.
  25 of those between 55-64 years old)
• In 1996 only 3.5 of Aboriginals were seniors but
  expected to triple by 2016

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Distribution of Elderly in 2021
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The Elderly Geographically in 2001
75 of all seniors live in Ontario, Quebec, and
British Columbia Only 17 of seniors found in
rural areas (c.f. 25 of those between 55-64
years old) In 1996 only 3.5 of Aboriginals were
seniors but expected to triple by 2016
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Immigrants and Aging
New immigrants in 1920sToday's Seniors!
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Immigrants and Aging

• Estimated one in four seniors were born outside
  Canada. Approximately 3 of immigrant in 1996
  were seniors
• In 1996, 5.2 of senior women, versus 3.5 of
  their male counterparts, were unable to converse
  in either official language
• The majority of such immigrants reach a level of
  prosperity comparable to the general population.
  However, some experience alarming levels of
  poverty and maybe exempt from usual forms of
  income supplementation.

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The Elderly and Housing in 2001

• 93 live in private households. Of these 2/3 live
  with family. Only 14 men live alone compared to
  34 of women.
• Most live in single-detached houses (61). Next
  most common is apartments (28).
• In 1991 6.4 (203,695) of seniors lived in
  institutions (c.f. 8 in 1981)

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The Elderly and Finance
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The Elderly and Finance
Distribution of after-tax expenditures of
seniors, 1999
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Canadian Pensions 2004

• OAS/GIS and CPP/QPP account gt50 income
• Rates are adjusted quarterly based on CPI)

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The Elderly and Finance 2001

• Average income of Canadian seniors is 21,000 per
  year
• Average income of men (24,500) falls with age -
  27,500 for 65-69 falling to 18,700 for 85
  group
• Little change in income of women (15,300) with
  age
• Between 1980-1999 couples with low income fell
  from 13 to 4

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The Elderly and Finance 2001
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The Elderly and Finance 2001

• Average income of Canadian seniors is 21,000 per
  year
• Average income of men (24,500) falls with age -
  27,500 for 65-69 falling to 18,700 for 85
  group
• Little change in income of women (15,300) with
  age
• Between 1980-1999 couples with low income fell
  from 13 to 4
• Certain sub-groups have much higher poverty
  levels eg. Very old, women, immigrants

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The Elderly as a Resource 2001

• 1996 40 seniors had high-school or post-
  secondary education. However, 40 handicapped by
  deficiency in literacy skills
• 1997 23 seniors provided volunteer services.
  Value of such services estimated in excess 5.5
  billion!
• 1981 seniors contributed on average 803 to
  charity compared to 549 all Canadian tax payers

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The Elderly as a Resource 2001
Average hours per week volunteers spend on those
activities, by age, 2000
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Reasons for Retirement

• Compulsory 29 men and 11 women
• Health issues 34 men and 38 women
• Job loss 7 men and 4 women
• Other includes large early retirement group
  (physical or psychologically demanding
  occupations, professionals)

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Retirement
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Preferences and Retirement

• 40 of retired people would have preferred a
  transition
• Older Canadians tend to work if occupations allow
  flexibility 70 farm workers work beyond 65,
  higher education is also factor. However health
  and financial factors important
• Second career increasingly relevant

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Functional Problems and Age
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Sources of Care-giving
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Sandwich Generation
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Sandwich Generation

• Almost 3 in 10 of those aged 45 to 64 in 2002,
  with unmarried children under 25 in the home,
  (712,000 individuals) were also caring for a
  senior
• 80 report impact on ability to work
• Women were more likely than men to be sandwiched.
  On average, women spent 29 hours a month
  providing care to seniors, compared to
  just 13 hours spent by their male counterparts

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Aging and Care-giving

• 18 of those over 65 have no living offspring
• Nearly 20 have family living more than 90
  minutes away by car
• Extremely old have old relatives
• Seniors are often caregivers themselves!
• Majority of seniors elect for LTC vs living with
  family

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Aging and Health
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Aging and Health
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Aging and Health