Promoting the labour force participation Of older Canadians

In 2018 the government published a report on labour force participation of older Canadians. It was relatively upbeat, and it saw a world where there would not be widespread labour shortages over the next 5 to ten years. Then the Pandemic hit in 2020 and we are still feeling the impacts. The workers had the opportunity to reassess how they feel about work and there was a paradigm shift in attitudes toward work. We hear talk of the quiet resignation or the refusal of workers to go back to the office or the mass resignation.

Because of all of these factors and an ageing population, skill shortages are expected to increase in certain occupations, sectors and regions. Consequently, industry and the government believe there is a need to increase the labour force participation of older individuals, and of other groups of Canadians, to support businesses, economic growth and continued improvement in Canada’s standard of living.

According to the report issued in 2017 overall, older Canadians fare relatively well in the labour market, with record-high labour force participation rates and a clear upward trend in retirement ages. However, there is still room for improvement, as Canada’s participation rate of older individuals lags behind other countries. There are also many older adults who struggle when trying to stay in the labour market or re-enter the workforce because they face particular challenges, including:

·        ageism;

·        lack of education and access to training;

·        difficulty in finding and applying for jobs;

·        health issues, work-life balance issues and lack of workplace          accommodations; and

·        disincentives or lack of incentives to work in the                                retirement  income system.

For the first time in Canada’s history, there are now more individuals over the age of 65 than there are children under the age of 15. As the population ages and more individuals exit the workforce, this will put pressure on labour force growth that could adversely impact economic growth. Canada will have to rely more heavily on productivity growth and increased workforce participation of all Canadians, including older individuals, to maintain its pace of improvement in living standards.

In addition, rapid globalization and technological changes have led to the changing nature of work. The traditional employee/employer relationship is evolving, sometimes leading to less secure relationships, as well as increases in different types of work. The economy is also restructuring, resulting in more opportunities that require highly skilled and knowledgeable workers. Making the adjustment to this new reality is going to be hard for both employers and workers, both young and old.

Canada’s population is evolving and is experiencing significant changes: its population is aging due to lower fertility rates and longer life expectancy. Some of us baby boomers (born during the post-World War II boom between 1946 and 1960) have already transitioned into retirement, while many others begin preparing their retirement plans. Hence, the age structure is changing in Canada—the number of people aged 55 and over increased from 6 million in the mid-1990s (around 20 percent of the population) to 11 million in 2016 (around 30 percent of the population). Although not all regions are equally affected by population aging, the number of individuals 55 and over is expected to reach 17 million by 2036 (almost half of the expected population).

Furthermore, given that women have a longer life expectancy than men, the gender distribution is much different at later ages. While women account for a little more than half the population in Canada (50.9 percent in 2016), among people aged 65 years and older, the number of women exceeds the number of men by more than 20 percent, and in the 85-and-older population, there are about two women for every man. This gender gap is serious as women can not save the same amount as men for retirement because of the inequality of pay. As a result, women are more likely to end up needing help from society as they age.

Today is World Suicide Prevention day

I had a young cousin that committed suicide. The fallout of his action lasted for years. Suicidal thoughts are complex. The factors and causes that lead to suicide are complex and many. No single approach works for everyone. What we do know is that there are certain factors and life events that may make someone more vulnerable to suicide and mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression can also be contributing factors.  People who are suicidal may feel trapped or like a burden to their friends, family and those around them and thus feel like they are alone and have no other options. The COVID-19 Pandemic has contributed to increased feelings of isolation and vulnerability. By creating hope through action, we can signal to people experiencing suicidal thoughts that there is hope and that we care and want to support them.

You can help give someone hope by showing that you care. All of us can play a role, no matter how small. We may never know what we do that makes a difference. We all can reach in and ask somebody. You do not need to tell them what to do or have solutions, but simply making the time and space to listen to someone about their experiences of distress or suicidal thoughts can help. Small talk can save lives and create a sense of connection and hope in somebody who may be struggling. The International Association for Suicide Prevention is dedicated to preventing suicide and suicidal behaviour and alleviating its effects. IASP leads the global role in suicide prevention by strategically developing an effective forum that is proactive in creating strong collaborative partnerships and promoting evidence-based action in order to reduce the incidence of suicide and suicidal behaviour.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates more than 700,000 people die due to suicide each year and that almost 77% of all global suicides occur in low and middle-income countries (LMICs). For every suicide there are many more who attempt suicide or have serious suicidal ideation. Suicidal behaviour profoundly impacts families and communities and remains a universal challenge with millions impacted. The reduction of suicide mortality is of global importance and a vital public health consideration. Here is a link to resources that might help. 

https://www.iasp.info/wspd/resources/ 

Please share this film Creating Hope Through Action film to raise awareness of suicide prevention.

Ageing in Place in Canada, thinking about being safe, caring for others

 Staying financially secure

Understanding and planning for future expenses and staying informed about available income sources will help you maintain your desired standard of living.

Income sources may include personal retirement savings and investments, private and public pension plans, and other financial assistance.

There are provincial and federal tax credits as well as income supplements available to eligible seniors. Additionally, many private and public services offer seniors discounts.

•                    What income will I need to maintain my desired standard of living as I age?

•                    Do I have a financial plan that includes a plan for addressing emergencies

•                    or possible out-of-pocket expenses to support my ability to age in place?

•                    What assistance and benefits are available to me?

•                    Am I receiving all the assistance and benefits that I may be eligible for?

Staying safe and free from abuse

Even though people of all ages experience fraud and abuse (including financial abuse), older adults may be particularly vulnerable.

There are many good sources of information available to help seniors learn to protect themselves from fraud and abuse.

Ask at your local library or seniors’ centre, or check online for further information.

Caring for others

Many of us take on a new responsibility as we age – the role of caregiver to a partner or family member.

Talk to your family and friends about your plans and wishes, and understand the plans and wishes of the people you care for.

Planning for your caregiving role and being aware of community health resources can help support you in this new role.

Caregiving can be stressful, but knowing where to get help and information can make it easier.  Where can I find more information about ageing in place?

•                    Learn about the programs and services to support ageing in place offered by your local, provincial or territorial government.

•                    Local seniors’ centres or public libraries can also help you find out about the services available in your community.

For more information related to seniors, visit www.seniors.gc.ca or your local Service Canada office.

Writing letters

One of the skills I used to teach was how to write a letter. I taught how the opening should look, the strong middle and the great close. I showed students the differences between different types of letters, personal business, marketing, thank you letters, etc. Today Group chats with your best friends, emails with your mom, and sending a quick text has become so commonplace that sitting down to write a letter, sealing it in an envelope, finding a stamp, and then going for a short walk to drop it in a mailbox can seem like too much work.

So much work, in fact, that a 2021 CBS News survey reported that 37% of Americans say they haven’t sent a personal letter through the mail in over five years, and 15% have never sent one at all.

This is not something that can be blamed on millennials, as letter writing is a hobby that’s falling out of favour in every age group, but there might be a reason to resuscitate it.

Beyond the fact it simply feels nice to get anything beyond coupons and bills in the mail, there are certainly psychological benefits to sending one.

According to research published by Science Direct, expressive writing has been proven to increase resilience to negative emotions and situations, foster a sense of accomplishment, and deepen the connection between sender and recipient.