HAMILTON, ON, Sept. 10, 2014 The Honourable Alice Wong, Minister of State for Seniors, unveiled today the new Government of Canada Action for Seniors report, a comprehensive information resource highlighting federal programs and services that can be accessed by seniors, their families, and caregivers.
Minister Wong made the announcement with officials who developed McMaster University's Optimal Aging Portal, a website that offers information about healthy aging and which can now be accessed through the Government of Canada's seniors.gc.ca website.
The Action for Seniors report provides an overview of the many programs and resources available for seniors, ranging from help to combat elder abuse to government support such as ensuring seniors' financial security. More than 22 federal departments and agencies collaborated to create the report, which reflects the interdisciplinary nature of seniors' issues that cut across the various departments and agencies. Providing information for seniors on programs and resources is a priority for the Government of Canada. Minister of State Wong welcomed the placement of a link to the McMaster portal on the seniors.gc.ca website, where the report can also be found.
The seniors.gc.ca website is a central resource for seniors, their families, their caregivers and supporting service organizations. The site provides information for seniors on federal, provincial, territorial and some municipal government benefits and services, including information on finances, housing, health and wellness, through an interactive map. The website also highlights federal seniors-related initiatives and supports the government's efforts to encourage seniors to stay active, engaged and informed.
Quick Facts
- The Government is committed to supporting and promoting seniors' health, well-being and contributions by encouraging seniors to stay active, engaged and informed.
- The Government of Canada Action for Seniors report contains information about services and benefits that that can be accessed by seniors, their families, and caregivers.
- Today, 1 in 7 Canadians is aged 65 or over. By 2036, nearly 1 in 4 Canadians will be a senior.
- Over the last decade in Canada, life expectancy at age 65 increased by 2 years, approximately twice the rate of growth observed over each of the previous decades since 1929.
Quotes
"Our Government is committed to helping seniors maintain a high quality of life and remain active members of their communities. I invite you to visit seniors.gc.ca and read our new report Government of Canada: Action for Seniors to find out more about what the Government of Canada is doing for seniors and their families."
– The Honourable Alice Wong, Minister of State (Seniors)
"Having the Government of Canada Action for Seniors report available online as well as in print is important to ensure that it is quickly accessible to all. -We know Canadian seniors are technologically savvy, so this excellent report puts information about all the federal services and resources for seniors at their fingertips, such as our McMaster Optimal Aging Portal, which provides easy-access, evidence-based health information."
– Patrick Deane, President and Vice-Chancellor McMaster University
Associated Link
www.seniors.gc.ca
SOURCE: Employment and Social Development Canada
Earl Maynard, Office of the Minister of State (Seniors), 613-716-5422, Media Relations Office, Employment and Social Development Canada, 819-994-5559, [email protected]; Follow us on Twitter
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