Calgary Aging Population
Calgary Aging Population
Calgary Aging Population
140%
120%
150%
100% 139%
129%
80%
91%
60%
40%
57%
20% 38% 42%
23%
0%
0-14 15-24 25-44 45-64 65+ 75+ 85+ Total
population
0% 1% 2% 3% 4% 5% 6% 7% 8% 9% 10%
2
Changing Times
The next generation of seniors will be a more diverse cohort of older adults than any other
previous generation. In general, this cohort of older adults will:
Have a higher education than previous generations
Experience better health and will live longer than previous
older adults Services and programs
that serve seniors are
Be more culturally diverse
faced with the challenge
Have higher expectations of products and services of continuing to address
Be more technologically savvy the needs of current
seniors, while at the
Have greater income and savings than previous seniors1
same time evolving
to accommodate the
changing nature and
needs of the growing
older adult population.
Participation in social, leisure, and spiritual activities in the community allows older
people to continue to exercise their competence and also maintain or establish
supportive relationships.
Inclusive programming and inter-generational opportunities that are based close to
where seniors live may be more appealing to some older adults.
Strategies that encourage older adults to be involved in their local communities through
volunteering or flexible paid work are needed. Some service providers may lose their
volunteer base unless they provide new and flexible opportunities for older adults.
3
Seniors Income Security
Improvement in poverty levels among seniors over the past few decades have been substantial.
In the 1970s, poverty rates among Calgary seniors were much higher than other age groups.
Today, it is more on par with other age groups7. In addition, many next-generation seniors will
have more income from savings and investments
than the generations that preceded them.
However, a significant portion of the senior
population struggles financially. As the total senior Calgary seniors who live alone or with
population grows, the number of seniors living in low- non-relatives live in low income11.
income situations will also grow. These individuals are at greater risk of
Almost 8,000 seniors in Calgary are living in being socially isolated.
low-income based on the after-tax low-
income measure. This works out to a rate of
8%, which is somewhat lower than the rate of 11% for Calgary’s total population8.
Approximately 1 in 4 Calgary seniors indicate that it is difficult to afford the food they
need because of increases in housing costs9.
Social Isolation
Preventing and addressing social isolation in seniors
is a growing area of concern. Seniors with limited
financial resources are at risk of being socially
isolated because they often can’t afford essentials
like transportation, program fees, or even
professional assistance they may need. Those who
live alone are particularly at risk.
Risk factors that increase the chances of seniors
becoming socially isolated include:
older age (75+)
living on a low-income
living alone
health/mobility difficulties
language or cultural barriers
In Calgary, about eight per cent of seniors don’t speak English or French at a conversational
level, which may impact their ability to access services and participate in their communities 10.
4
Housing and Community Living
Generally speaking, older adults want to age in place. This means they want to stay in the
communities, if not the homes, they have lived in for years. Living in a setting that matches a
senior’s level of need, mobility, and care is important for their safety, dignity, and quality of life.
Choice about where to live is affected by several factors including cost and location of housing,
the level of care or support a person requires, changing needs associated with aging, lifestyle
preferences, transportation needs, and the diversity of housing options available3. The City of
Calgary’s Municipal Development Plan promotes complete communities that are highly
beneficial to all ages, including older Calgarians12.
Complete communities have:
aging in place A mix of different types of housing that
suit all ages
Affordable, accessible transportation and A more compact settlement pattern
housing within complete communities
Housing diversity More local jobs, retail and public
spaces in accessible destinations
Access to practical amenities
A variety of transportation options
Coordinated home services such as home
(health) care and social services
Services and funding related to home
maintenance age friendly
Access to coordinated information on An “age-friendly” city encourages active
services and programs aging by optimizing opportunities for
health, participation and security in order
to enhance quality of life as people age.
Accessible?
The Age-Friendly Cities Guidebook
Many older adults require supportive provides advice on how cities and
environments that compensate for changes communities can become more age-
associated with aging. As the population ages, friendly in eight particular areas:
addressing accessibility for people with physical,
visual, hearing, and/or cognitive disabilities is of 1. outdoor spaces/buildings
growing importance to allowing people to age in 2. transportation
place, while remaining actively involved in their 3. housing
communities. 4. social participation
5. respect/social inclusion
The World Health Organization identifies features
of an age-friendly city that make a community 6. civic participation and employment
accessible for all people. Examples include use of 7. communication and information
ramps, wider doorways, non-slip flooring, and rest 8. community and health supports6.
areas with ample public seating, clear sidewalks,
and accessible public toilets, to name a few. An
age-friendly city adjusts its structures and services to
be accessible to, and inclusive of, older individuals.
5
Looking Ahead
Planning for an aging population requires cross-sector collaboration and strategic planning.
Ensuring that the needs of the growing population of seniors are met will involve support from
all levels of government, community organizations, and community members including seniors
themselves. Services that are geared specifically towards seniors will notice mounting pressure
that matches the rising trend in the aging demographic. However, this demographic shift will
also affect services and structures that are available to Calgarians of all ages. The City of Calgary
and community partners developed the Seniors Age-Friendly Strategy, which was approved by
Calgary City Council in June 2015, to prepare for our aging population. For more information,
visit Calgary.ca/agefriendly.
City of Calgary
Community & Neighbourhood Services
socialresearch@calgary.ca
1
Statistics Canada (2012). The Canadian Population in 2011: Age and Sex. Catalogue no. 98-311-X2011001.
2
Statistics Canada (2012). Calgary CY, Alberta and Canada. Census Profile. 2011 Census. Statistics Canada Catalogue no. 98-316-XWE.
3
Government of Alberta (2010). Aging Policy Framework. www.seniors.alberta.ca
4
All projection data in this report are based on calculations by The City of Calgary Corporate Economics, 2014.
5
City of Calgary (2014). City of Calgary Civic Census. www.calgary.ca
6
World Health Organization (2007). Global age-friendly cities: A guide. www.who.int.aging
7
Statistics Canada (2013). Table 202-0802 - Persons in low income families, annual, CANSIM (database). Income Statistics Division.
8
Statistics Canada (2012). Calgary CY, Alberta. National Household Survey (NHS) Profile. 2011 National Household Survey. Statistics Canada
Catalogue no. 99-004-XWE.
9
City of Calgary (2008). Survey on Seniors’ Decision to Relocate. www.calgary.ca/cns
10
Statistics Canada (2012). Target Group Profile for the Population aged 65 years and over. 2011 Census of Canada. Table EO-2193 - TGP_6A.
11
Statistics Canada (2014). Community Poverty Project, Table 9a-UI. 2011 National Household Survey.
12
City of Calgary (2009). The City of Calgary Municipal Development Plan. www.calgary.ca/PDA/pd/Pages/Municipal-Development-
Plan/Municipal-Development-Plan-MDP.aspx
13
Scharlach, A. (2009). Creating aging-friendly communities. Journal of the American Society on Aging. Summer 2009. Vol. 33 No.2
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