An expert panel weighs in on Ageing in Place

In the weeks since I last posted on a personal plan for ageing in place, the government of Canada put out a report by an expert panel called Final Report of the Expert Panel, Supporting Canadians Aging at Home: Ensuring Quality of Life as We Age. As we age in place, it is a good idea to see what the experts expect the government to do.  

On October 6, 2022, the Minister of Seniors and Minister of Health announced that the National Seniors Council (the Council) would serve as the Expert Panel on Supporting Canadians Aging at Home (the Expert Panel). The Expert Panel was asked to examine measures, potentially including an aging at home benefit, that could further support older persons in Canada to age at home.

The Expert Panel believes that given national and international demographic trends, the 3 main areas of focus should be:

•           financial benefits focusing on low-income older persons (often women). See recommendations #1, #3 and #9

•           community-based support and services. See recommendations #10 and #11

•           planning for aging, retirement, and life in later years. See recommendations #2 and #7

Strengthening governance and accountability will be important complementary measures to ensure quality of life as we age in Canada. This can be achieved by adopting relevant legislation, regulations, standards, governance, and accountability. See recommendations #16, #17, and #18.

  

These 20 recommendations for immediate action support the broader, long-term outcomes pursued by the federal government. Implementing these recommendations will help older persons to age at home and achieve and/or maintain their quality of life.

 

Aligned to the 5 domains of the Quality-of-Life Framework for Aging in Canada and to the 4 priority policy pillars (4As).

 

Prosperity (Priority Pillars: Availability, Accessibility and Affordability)

 

1.      Introduce a new Age at Home Benefit

2.      Establish a public national insurance program for home care and support

3.      Increase the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS)

4.      Expand, modify eligibility criteria, and promote existing programs that provide housing for older persons

5.      Convert the Canada Caregiver Credit into a refundable tax-free benefit, allowing all caregivers to receive up to $1,250 a year

 

Health (Priority Pillars: Availability, Accessibility and Affordability)

 

6.      Develop a strategy for recruitment and retention of human resources to support aging at home

7.      Focus on disease prevention and health promotion

8.      Enhance palliative care at home

 

Society (Priority Pillars: Availability, Accessibility and Affordability)

 

9.      Support innovation with affordable housing alternatives for older persons

10.  Invest in new and existing navigation and social prescribing initiatives

11.  Expand existing grants and contributions programs to include longer-term funding options

12.  Invest in organizations that support caregivers

 

Environment (Priority Pillars: Availability, Accessibility and Affordability)

 

13.  Invest in technology and digital literacy and further invest in innovation in technology

14.  Expand support for Age-Friendly Communities

15.  Invest in safe, local public transportation services

Good Governance (Priority Pillar: Accountability)

 

16.  Enact legislation on home care (within the Canada Health Act or new legislation)

17.  Enact legislation on long-term care

18.  Support the development of national home care standards

19.  Increase prevention of mistreatment of older persons

20.  Actively engage in discussions at the United Nations regarding the potential development of a convention on the rights of older persons

 

Pearls of Wisdom

A while back, I read the blog "Pearls of Wisdom" by Caree Recover, where she talks about being retired for 10 years. I have a clock on my blog that counts the days, hours, and minutes since I retired. Actually, I have two clocks: one marks my official retirement, and the other tracks my true retirement, with an 8-year difference between them. I was slow to retire, returning to work just two days after initially retiring on a part-time basis, which soon became full-time. After quitting the full-time job, I was rehired part-time a month later. This pattern continued for about three years until I fully retired.

I haven’t always focused on retirement milestones, but I am now approaching 19 years of retirement, with the last 10 years being fully retired. Over time, I’ve shared my retirement journey and the common challenges we face. The idea of milestones is intriguing. We celebrate milestones like becoming a teenager or turning 21, but as we age, we often overlook them. While we celebrate significant birthdays, like turning 65, 80, or 90, we tend to forget other milestones, such as 10 years of retirement.

So, I want to congratulate Caree on this remarkable achievement and encourage everyone considering retirement to recognize and celebrate these important milestones.

With a little help from my friends

Having friends is a cornerstone of a happy and fulfilling life. Friends offer emotional support, help reduce feelings of loneliness, and foster a sense of belonging. They also encourage a healthier lifestyle through engaging in activities that benefit both mental and physical well-being. For seniors, maintaining friendships is crucial in combating social isolation and nurturing a sense of community and connection.

However, making new friends can be challenging for some of us due to various factors. Retirement, limited mobility, and the end of regular social activities often reduce opportunities for social interactions. Relocation, the death of a spouse, or the loss of old friends can further shrink social circles, leading to feelings of isolation. Physical or cognitive health issues may hinder participation in social events, and difficulty with technology can prevent seniors from connecting online, where many social interactions now occur.

 Additionally, ageism and negative stereotypes about aging can make some of us feel undervalued in social settings, discouraging us from seeking new friendships. The fear of not fitting in or being rejected, along with life changes such as retirement or health issues impacting self-esteem, can make reaching out and sustaining new friendships more difficult.

Overcoming these challenges involves creating accessible social opportunities, providing support for seniors, challenging ageist attitudes, and fostering an inclusive environment. One effective strategy is to identify hobbies or interests and join clubs, classes, or groups that align with them. Activities like book clubs, volunteer groups, fitness classes, and workshops are great for meeting people with similar interests. Potential friends could also be found among work colleagues, neighbours, fellow pet owners, and grandparents of your grandchildren's classmates. Connecting with these individuals through shared experiences can be a great starting point.

Using your existing relationships to expand your social circle can also be effective. Don’t be shy to leverage your current friendships to meet new people. Friends of friends often share common interests and values. When organizing group gatherings, prioritize setting a date that works for most people instead of delaying for the perfect time—there is no perfect date or time, and life can slip by while waiting.

Even brief interactions, like a quick coffee date or a casual text, can help maintain and grow friendships. The connection itself is what matters, not the length of the engagement. Reaching out to old friends you’ve lost touch with can also be worthwhile. They may be feeling the same hesitation, so a simple message to reconnect can revive the friendship.

Engaging with current media, like popular shows, books, or podcasts, provides easy conversation starters and helps you join in general social discussions. Contrary to the belief that talking less makes you more likable, research suggests that engaging more in conversations makes you appear more interesting and likable. Asking questions about the other person is a great way to do this, as everyone has a story to tell, and they are just waiting for someone to ask.

Once you’ve established new friendships, it’s essential to maintain them. Keep in touch regularly, even if it’s through brief messages or calls. Schedule regular meetups or activities to ensure continued interaction. Show interest in your friends’ lives and offer support when needed. Building and maintaining friendships as a senior requires effort and persistence, but the rewards are invaluable.

The Four Pillars of a Modern Retirement last word (for now)

Social relationships and a sense of purpose can dramatically positively impact health. One of the greatest sources of purpose often comes from spending time with family. Retirees commonly support adult children and other family members financially or receive support in return. While healthcare costs can be a concern, managing these costs effectively can alleviate financial stress and promote better health. Sound health and finances enable retirees to engage in the relationships and purposeful activities they value most. These interconnected pillars—health, family, purpose, and finances—work together to reinforce one another.

In retirement, these four pillars naturally evolve. Health may require more proactive management, but this can lead to a more intentional and fulfilling lifestyle. Family relationships often deepen, becoming more dependent in some ways but also more cherished. With work no longer the primary source of purpose, retirees have the exciting opportunity to explore new passions and hobbies, enjoying the luxury of time affluence. Financially, the shift moves from saving to spending wisely and managing one’s nest egg, ensuring a secure and enjoyable retirement.

Each of these pillars is essential, playing a significant role in the overall well-being of retirees. Those who report a higher quality of life often excel in health, family relationships, sense of purpose, and financial management. These pillars collectively enable people to thrive in their new retirement phase. The overall picture for retirees is largely positive, with many enjoying this new chapter of life.

While not everyone experiences the same level of quality of life—28% of retirees rated their quality of life as only fair or poor—there are always opportunities to improve. Challenges such as health issues, lack of family support, and financial struggles can impact quality of life, but there are always lessons to learn and positive actions to take. By focusing on enhancing health, strengthening family bonds, finding new purposes, and managing finances effectively, everyone can strive to live their best life in retirement.

Retirement is a time to embrace new opportunities, build deeper connections, and find renewed purpose. With a positive outlook and proactive approach, this stage of life can be incredibly fulfilling and rewarding.