On October 1st and 2nd, I attended the annual convention of the Council of Senior Citizens’ Organizations of British Columbia (COSCO). This year's convention explored the opportunities and challenges associated with Canada's aging population.
I arrived just as the convention was beginning and had a difficult time finding a seat because the room was full to capacity with 400 people. I've never seen so many older adults in one place! It was amazing!
For two days, I enjoyed lectures and workshops about the realities of older adults and our place in society. The general focus was on health and the healthcare system, although there was also information on housing, income security, and social connectedness.
Below is a summary of some important information I learned during the conference:
- Most older adults continue to function fully in society.
- Genes account for about 25% of longevity; lifestyle accounts for the rest.
- It is never too late to start exercising. One easy way to start is by walking – it's easy and doesn't cost anything.
- Inefficiencies in the healthcare system, rather than population aging per se, are responsible for rising healthcare costs. For example, many diagnostic tests and medical prescriptions are unnecessary.
- People usually require the most care during the last six months of their lives, although this applies as equally to a 6-month-old as a 90-year-old.
- Although it is true that healthcare comprises a large portion of the government's budget, healthcare costs typically rise when services are cut.
- Of all the different pensions plans, the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) is the best. It is portable and administration costs are low. The Canadian Labour Congress recently submitted a report to the federal government proposing ways to expand CPP (summary).
- 30% of seniors in BC have no pension from their employer. Their only source of pension income is the CPP, Old Age Security (OAS), and the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS).
- For low-income renters, there is a significant gap between their monthly rent and the subsidy they receive from the the Shelter Aid for Elderly Renters program (SAFER) administered by BC Housing.
- To make sure our political leaders address these issues, we all need to be well-informed and politically engaged. Ignorance and silence = maintaining the status quo.
COSCO proposes the following as key components of an agenda for BC's seniors:
- Removal of barriers to healthy aging
- Adequate healthcare Appropriate and adequate housing and home support
- Safe and accessible transportation
- Income security
- Improved access to information
- An end to ageism and elder abuse
The Seniors Advisory Committee is addressing many of these issues at the municipal level.
Thanks to the City of Vancouver and COSCO for who made it possible for me to attend this great conference.
