Aging well in Quebec: A portrait of the inequalities between generations and between seniors

Let's continue the reflection towards reducing inequalities experienced by seniors.

MONTREAL, Dec. 3, 2020 /CNW/ - Today, the Observatoire québécois des inégalités is releasing its report "Aging well in Quebec", a first major portrait on the aging population in Quebec and its issues. This report was made to guide experts and decision-makers in the development of new social practices to reduce inequalities among seniors.

A collective conversation that must continue beyond the pandemic

While living conditions of seniors have been making headlines recently in Quebec, the difficult situation we are currently experiencing has revealed even more worrisome aspects. The effects of the pandemic have been particularly acute for seniors, but they are also the reflect of much deeper problems that were already there before the pandemic and that are likely to be exacerbated in the coming years as the aging population increases.

This report is part of an essential collective conversation that must continue beyond the pandemic. In the preparation of this report, the Observatoire's researchers have collated close to 250 articles and worked with more than forty databases. Divided into three main themes (economy, living environment and well-being), this publication aims at making scientific data accessible in order to encourage innovation and to offer solutions to decision-makers to help improving seniors' quality of life.

A concerning overview of the aging population in Quebec

Based on the most up-to-date scientific data, this comprehensive overview of the aging population of the province of Quebec and its issues puts forward significant inequalities in income and wealth among seniors. Among the main findings of this report, aging should be better understood in terms of the specific needs of seniors and the diversity of their life paths, both in terms of economic issues and problems that are more directly related to their well-being. To reduce inequalities among seniors, more concerted actions must be taken to enable this group to remain active in society, independent and break out of isolation.

Quick facts – Overview of people aged 65 and over

• 53% increase by 2050: the number of people aged 65 and over will rise from 1.7 million in 2020 to 2.6 million in 2050.
• Education is a crucial factor: the income of seniors with a university degree is about double that of those with no post-secondary degree.
• Large wealth inequalities: the richest 20% have nearly two thirds of all wealth held by senior households.
• Working by necessity: 25% of the seniors aged 70 and over who are working are doing it by necessity.
• Increasingly indebted: 40% of senior households have debts - a trend that is on the rise in Quebec and Canada.
• Isolation of seniors: more than one-third of Quebec men aged 75 and over say they have no close friends.
• To support its research process, the Observatoire was accompanied by an advisory committee and a scientific board, made up respectively of representatives of organizations from the community and experts in aging.

Quotes

"It is essential to keep in mind all the variables that affect the aging population to better act or prevent persistent inequalities. Let's not forget that a person who suffers from inequalities will be impacted in several other spheres of life, at all stages. To make our society truly multi-generational, we must take these elements into account and act permanently on better supporting seniors so they can stay at home longer, be better included in the community and be an important part of society."

- Elmer van der Vlugt, researcher at the Observatoire québécois des inégalités.

"Over a year ago, we mandated the Observatoire to take a closer look at the aging population in Quebec. Our intention was to identify issues to initiate a national conversation about seniors and, above all, to start looking for solutions with all stakeholders in the sector."

- Claude Pinard, CEO, Mirella & Lino Saputo Foundation

SOURCE Observatoire québécois des inégalités

Jeremy Ghio, TACT, 438 407-3029, [email protected]