Ah, ageism, the fine art of stereotyping

 Ah, ageism, the fine art of stereotyping an entire group of people because, well, who needs individuality when you can make sweeping generalizations? Lately, the media has been having a field day discussing how affluent seniors have become. Some in the media have even dubbed us "Old. Rich. Spoiled." Quite the compliment, I must say.

Let's take a moment to appreciate the riveting statistics Canada has to offer. According to Stats Canada, in 2020, the total median income of Canadian senior citizens aged 65 years and over amounted to $32,020 Canadian dollars. and 25% of seniors earn an income of less than $21,000. Hold on to your pearls, because 50% of Canadian seniors are living on less than that, with the majority of them braving the solitude of living alone. Meanwhile, those youthful whippersnappers are enjoying a median income of, $51,170 for the prime working-age population, often in the luxurious embrace of a two-person household, where costs are conveniently split. How utterly unfair!

Now, don't you dare forget about the impoverished souls in British Columbia. Our Senior Advocate, claims that over 52,000 seniors in that province are barely surviving on a measly $16,300 per year. How they manage to scrape by is truly a mystery. Sure, some may argue that low-income seniors live in homes without mortgages, but let's not overlook those property taxes, insurance, and maintenance costs that just love to devour their fixed income. And let's not forget the joy of being a part of the 20% of senior households that are rented, facing annual increases on their stagnant income. It's a real party.

But wait, there's more! Seniors also get to revel in the delightful realm of healthcare costs. Need drugs? Mobility aids? Dental care? Eyeglasses or hearing aids? Well, tough luck, my friend. Seniors bear the full brunt of those expenses, with no workplace benefits to soften the blow.

Sure, seniors might have some wealth squirrelled away, but let's not forget they're required to actually generate an income from it. Unlike those lucky ducks who receive their income from employment and can watch their wealth compound effortlessly. Life just isn't fair, is it?

But hey, it's not all doom and gloom. Seniors also happen to make some pretty impressive contributions to society. They volunteer like there's no tomorrow, bless their generous souls. And let's not forget the millions of hours of care they provide to their spouses and sometimes even their parents. Can you imagine the horror if they didn't step up? The cost to the government would be downright staggering! In fact, unpaid caregivers over 65 save the Canadian healthcare system an estimated four billion dollars. Cha-ching!

And guess what? Seniors don't just stop at unpaid labour, they're also quite generous with their wallets. In B.C., seniors are oh-so-kindly required to part with 80% of their income for the privilege of residential care, up to a maximum of $3092.66. But that's not all! They also graciously offer up 70% of their income for government-subsidized assisted living, with the maximum amount varying based on local market conditions. And as if that weren't enough, they even get to co-pay the costs of their home support on a sliding scale, all based on their income. Isn't that just delightful?

So, you see, dear friends, seniors are a truly unique bunch. Some have money, some don't. Some are in good health, while others aren't so fortunate. Some give back to their communities, while others... well, let's just say they're not as dedicated. But what matters most is that we value their uniqueness, just like we do with those not yet burdened by the grand old age of 65. Let's make sure no one gets left behind and create a society that embraces one and all. Cheers to that!