COUNCIL REPORT HELPS B.C. READY FOR AGING SOCIETY

VANCOUVER – Premier Gordon Campbell received a report today from the Premier’s Council on Aging and Seniors’ Issues, which recommends government take action in a number of key areas to ensure B.C.’s rapidly growing seniors population continues to participate in their communities and live independent, healthy lives.

“The number of British Columbians over the age of 65 will almost double in the next 25 years so it is important we prepare for that demographic shift,” said Campbell. “We asked the council to provide us with some recommendations to help government support an aging population and I commend chair Patricia Baird and all 18 members of the council for their hard work in preparing this report.”

The report contains 16 recommendations for action to support older people’s participation and quality of living, which include:

· increasing the number of seniors in the workplace through initiatives such as eliminating mandatory retirement;

· developing new home-support initiatives that allow people to continue living in their own homes;

· promoting greater individual retirement savings through pooled pension plans and matching RRSP contributions;

· ensuring the quality of medical services responds to the changing needs of older patients, with greater focus on the management of chronic illnesses;

· working with local governments to support the creation of accessible and inclusive neighbourhoods;

· developing initiatives to support more volunteerism among older people; and

· working with Aboriginal and other ethnocultural organizations to ensure services are delivered in ways that meet the needs of older people in those communities.

“We want to see a future where older people are seen as an integral part of our social and economic life,” said Patricia Baird, chair of the Premier’s Council on Aging and Seniors’ Issues. “Older people should be welcomed to use their talent and experience, but also assisted when poor health or low income prevent a good quality of life.”

Since October 2005, the 18-member council has met with seniors, community organizations, aging experts, academics, health professionals and business leaders throughout B.C. It heard close to a hundred presentations and received written input from more than 200 individuals and organizations as part of its work.

“We are grateful to the council members for their hard work and dedication,” said Ida Chong, Minister of Community Services and Minister responsible for Seniors’ and Women’s Issues. “Government will review this report with careful consideration, because ensuring B.C. is building the best support for seniors in Canada is one of our highest priorities.”

The Province supports a wide variety of services for seniors in B.C. in areas ranging from recreation to housing and health. For more information on those services, visit

www.gov.bc.ca/seniors or call the Health and Seniors Information Line at 1 800 465-4911.

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The report from the Premier’s Council on Aging and Seniors’ Issues is available online at: www.cserv.gov.bc.ca/seniors/council


Media contact:	Dale Steeves Communications Director Office of the Premier 250 361-7783	Anne McKinnon Communications Director Ministry of Community Services 250 953-3677

For more information on government services or to subscribe to the Province’s news feeds using RSS, visit the Province’s website at www.gov.bc.ca.