SENATE

SÉNAT

SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON AGING

COMITÉ SPÉCIAL SUR LE VIEILLISSEMENT CANADA

Questionnaire for Seniors' Organizations The Special Senate Committee on Aging has been examining the implications of an aging society in Canada since the fall of 2006. The Committee issued an interim report on this subject, Embracing the Challenge of Aging, in the winter of 2007, and will soon be preparing its final report. The Committee has heard from experts and a number of national seniors’ organizations. It has prepared this questionnaire for seniors' organizations like yours to make their voices heard. As you complete this questionnaire, you may wish to consult the Committee's interim report. Please keep your answers as brief as possible. If you are using the Web-form, please type your answers directly in the space provided. Once you have completed the questionnaire, please save the document and e-mail it to: [email protected].

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If you are unable to use the Web-form, please select "Print". Typed responses would be appreciated. You can mail or fax the completed questionnaire to: François Michaud Clerk of the Committee Special Senate Committee on Aging The Senate of Canada Ottawa, ON K1A 0A4 Phone: (613) 998-0424 Toll free: 1 800-267-7362 Fax: (613) 947-2104 Email: [email protected] Web site: http://www.senate-senat.ca/age.asp The deadline for responses is September 28, 2007.

1. Contact Information Organization Represented: Contact Person: Title: Address:

City:

Province:

Postal Code:

Phone:

Email:

Web site: How many members belong to your organization? … 1-24

… 25-49

… 50-100

… 100+

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… N/A 2

2. Financial Security One of the most significant areas of federal government intervention related to seniors is income support, through programs such as the Old Age Security pension, the Guaranteed Income Supplement, and the Canada Pension Plan. These programs have helped reduce the rate of poverty among seniors over the past 30 years. Many Canadians also have income from private pensions and savings. Despite this, there are some groups of seniors that are more likely to experience poverty, such as unattached seniors, older women and immigrant seniors. • Does more need to be done to help these groups? • Are there pension or income support reforms that would improve these programs for all seniors?

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3. Retirement More seniors are working later in life. With mandatory retirement being eliminated in a growing number of provinces, what are the challenges and benefits associated with this development? • How can competency be fairly assessed for those remaining in the workforce? • Do you think there are penalties and/or incentives from the various levels of government that promote or discourage individuals from remaining in the workforce?

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4. Active Living, Well-being and Participation One of the keys to maintaining health and quality of life is to sustain the ability of seniors to participate in meaningful activities and social networks. Opportunities for life-long learning and volunteering can play an important role in helping seniors remain active. • What barriers prevent seniors from being more active? • How should the federal government be supporting and promoting active living among seniors in Canada? • What role should provincial and municipal governments have in this area? • What role can non-governmental organizations have? • What needs to be done to increase opportunities for life-long learning?

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5. Health Care Needs Although the majority of Canada’s seniors are in good health, seniors remain significant users of the health care system. This includes primary care such as hospitals and clinics, as well as prescriptions, mental health services, chronic disease management, caregiving, home care, long term care and palliative care. As the population ages, it is expected that demand for these services will increase. • How well is the health care system meeting the needs of seniors now? • What should be done to prepare and improve services for the future?

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6a. Seniors and Caregiving Over different stages of life, seniors can be both caregivers and recipients of care. As informal caregivers, they can help care for friends and family, including aging parents, an ailing spouse or grandchildren. As recipients of care, they can require both informal support and formal services, such as community support services, home care, continuing care, long-term care and palliative care. • What role should provincial and municipal governments have in this area? • What role can non-government organizations have? What kind of supports do informal caregivers require? • How adequate are home and institutional care services for seniors in your region?

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6b. Elder Abuse Seniors dependent on others for care are particularly vulnerable to elder abuse, which can happen in the home or in an institution. It can take many forms: physical, emotional, sexual, or financial. • What should the federal government be doing to prevent abuse? • What role should provincial and municipal governments have in this area? • What role can non-governmental organizations have?

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7. Housing and Transportation Housing and transportation are two fundamental needs of all Canadians. The combination of flexible housing designs, home and community support services, assisted living and transportation options can help seniors maximize their independence and quality of life as they age. Inadequate housing is especially serious among Inuit seniors, seniors with disabilities, recent senior immigrants, and the broader Aboriginal senior population. Housing, transportation and social services are primarily areas of provincial jurisdiction. • From your perspective, what challenges exist in this area and what role should the federal government take to address them? • What role should provincial and municipal governments have in this area? • What role can non-government organizations have?

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8. Defining Seniors Canadians are usually defined as seniors at age 65, the age of eligibility for Old Age Security (OAS) benefits. But age can be a poor measure of ability, and other countries are gradually increasing the age of eligibility for old age benefits as healthy life expectancy grows. • Does the current definition of seniors as those over the age of 65 still serve seniors, employers, and the rest of society? • Should age be used to define eligibility to programs? • If not, what other measures would be practical?

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9a. Diversity of Seniors The population over 65 is a varied group in terms of age, urban/rural residence, gender and ethnocultural background. • Are the needs of this diverse population being adequately met? • Are there specific policies requiring change? • How can programs, policies and services be designed to meet the needs of different seniors?

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9b. Rural Seniors If your organization represents or works with seniors in rural areas, please tell us about the most pressing specific challenges that rural seniors face. • Can you think of programs and services for seniors in rural areas which are successful and from which lessons can be learned?

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10. Federal Responsibility for Specific Groups The federal government is directly responsible for the provision of services to a number of specific groups such as veterans, First Nations on reserve and Inuit. • How well is the federal government providing for seniors for which it has jurisdictional responsibility? • What can be learned from these programs?

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11. Setting Priorities Please rate the following issues as a high or low priority. Low priority Improving financial security

High priority

1

2

3

4

5

N/A

1

2

3

4

5

N/A

1

2

3

4

5

N/A

1

2

3

4

5

N/A

Supporting informal caregivers and improving caregiving options

1

2

3

4

5

N/A

Increasing the availability of adapted housing

1

2

3

4

5

N/A

1

2

3

4

5

N/A

Facilitating transitions to retirement Promoting Active Living Enhancing health care options

Expanding transportation services

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11b. Seniors' Top Priority In your own words, what would you say is the most important issue facing seniors today?

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12. Other Are there any other issues that you would like to bring to the Committee's attention?

Thank you!

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