Canadian Seniors Are All Right

By Andrea Gordon, Toronto Star

July 25, 2007

A funny thing is happening as the population gets greyer. Canadians are starting to think that, while older might not necessarily be better, maybe it's not so bad after all.

A poll released yesterday by Angus Reid Strategies of Toronto shows that most Canadians are pretty positive when it comes to how they view seniors.

Of the 1,002 adults surveyed, 92 per cent said those over 65 are a valuable component of society and 82 per cent said they believe their communities respect the elderly. Three out of four respondents disagreed that older people are a burden on younger generations.

Craig Worden, vice-president of public affairs with Angus Reid, says it's only natural that the greying of the population is changing the way people think about old age. It's kind of the way the phrase "don't trust anybody over 30" doesn't work once you're 31.

Census figures released last week showed more seniors and fewer children in Canada than ever before, with one in seven Canadians now 65 or older.

Among other findings inthe poll:

72 per cent of Canadians said they would take their parents in to live with them if necessary, though 41 per cent said people should plan for old age so they don't have to depend on others.

61 per cent are looking forward to retirement, although 53 per cent worry about growing old.

71 per cent don't believe retirement should be mandatory.

More than three-quarters of those surveyed did not believe the Canada Pension Plan or the health-care system will adequately handle the needs of seniors in the future.

Bill Gleberzon, director of government relations with CARP, the association for the 50 plus, says he's concerned so many Canadians still believe the old doom-and-gloom scenarios about Canada 's pension system. According to CARP, actuarial studies show it will remain adequate for the next 50 to 75 years, "which means the money is there and will continue to be there."

But Gleberzon says that while liver spots may not be the new fashion statement, it's about time that age and experience got some respect.

According to the survey, 60 per cent of respondents reported significant social interaction with those 65 or older in the previous week. And 64 per cent also said they would like more social interaction with seniors.

"People are saying they recognize that getting older gives you a certain panache, a certain wisdom," Gleberzon says.

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