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1 Group #13 "Baby Boomers in Canada: A retiree nation"
2 Implications Of Aging Retiree Population on Younger Generations (Kalyn's Section)
3 Implications of an aging retiree population: The Elder Perspective (Lauren's Section)
4 Implications of an ageing retiree population on overall society (Stephen's Section)
5 Notes and References

Group #13 "Baby Boomers in Canada: A retiree nation"

1. Kalyn Kraul
2. Stephen Lachan
3. Lauren Jefferies

Implications Of Aging Retiree Population on Younger Generations (Kalyn's Section)

The Canadian baby boom began in 1946 and continued though to 1964 ^[1], and the magnitude of births during this time has greatly impacted various aspects of Canada (#2). According to demographic estimates, it is predicted that in 2021 more than 21% of the population will be 65 and over (#10). That means that one in five will have reached this age (#6, #10) in just 10 years. At the present time, the first wave of this massive cohort is just reaching retirement age as many of them are turning 65 this year(#2).

As the aging baby-boomers begin retiring, the effects on the overall economy will be substantial ^[2] . This is of great concern to the Canadian government, policy makers, researchers, employers and workers (#6, #10). The effects of these changes will be widespread and will impact Canadian lifestyles and policies in varying degrees (#10). Recent research has focused mainly on the baby boomers themselves. However, it is essential to investigate the ways in which these demographics will affects the younger generations as well. There are economic and social consequences of population aging that felt by the younger generations. More specifically, there will be greater opportunities in the workplace and increased pressure to look after older family members.

Economic Implications: Workplace

Social Implications: Caregiving

Looking Forward

Implications of an aging retiree population: The Elder Perspective (Lauren's Section)

The Aging Baby Boomer

A “baby boomer” is an individual born in the post-World War II years between 1946 and 1965. This period was marked by a rapid increase in birth rate and has caused dramatic demographic changes in Canada [1]. As the first wave of “baby boomers” (born in 1946) reach the age of retirement at 65 this year, seniors make up the fastest growing population in Canada [2]. As a result there is a growing reason for concern over the sustainability in supporting an aging population. From an elder perspective, a whole new series of unpleasant, but essential questions must be considered. These include the place of aging, type of services required through the elder years and strategies to increase the chances of living a long and healthy life. These issues are just a few of the important questions the older “baby boomers” must consider when accepting and planning for the aging process. Out of these concerns, one central issue remains constant, attaining ‘positive’, ‘active’ and ‘successful’ Quality-of-Life (QoL) into old age [3].

Quality-of-Life

Quality of Life is a concept which evaluates four measures including autonomy, control, pleasure and self-realization on a scale of degrees of satisfaction [3]. To further explore this topic, Zaninotto and colleagues [3] conducted a longitudinal study (over several years) and examined the age paths of QoL among older adults. They found that QoL was poorer in the older participants in comparison to younger individuals, and this difference in satisfaction only grew larger with age, rapidly worsening in the oldest participants [3]. Several factors contributed to this negative QoL including limiting long-standing illness, depression, education and lack of wealth [3]. This foremost issue is a source of concern in the aging boomer population. So what are the major factors Canadians need to consider to ensure positive Quality-of-Life (QoL) for an aging population?

Housing

When faced with the important decision of where to spend their later years, seniors are presented with various housing options. These options may require a move, but new trends show many retirees are choosing to remain at home [4], [5], [6]. A study by Weeks and colleagues [6] examined the familial influence in the preference of future housing in Canada. The family can have a significant impact on the housing of the elderly, either by helping them age at home successfully, or by delaying or even preventing institutionalization. The study results indicate 94% of the participants had no intention of moving from their home. Canadian statistics indicate the senior population to rise to 6.7 million in 2021 and 9.2 million in 2041 [2]. Currently, Health Canada estimates 7 percent of seniors live in long term care facilities, however this number could grow to 469,000 of seniors in institutions by 2021, and 644,000 by 2041 [2]. It is vital to understand the roots of senior housing preferences (whether family, community or financially based), so appropriate planning can take place to support the housing needs of a growing senior population [6].

Mobility

Of the critical factors that contribute to quality of life, transportation affects individuals of all ages. A person's independence is intrinsically linked to their mobility, and significantly impacts their ability to continue the interactions necessary for health and well-being [7]. When driving is no longer a safe option for seniors, reliable alternatives must be available. To be deemed a “safe” driver, an individual must demonstrate good vision in high and low contrast conditions, the ability to turn their head quickly to check mirrors and enough muscle control in the legs to perform routine pedal functions. In addition, individuals must maintain certain cognitive abilities such working memory to remember traffic laws and directions while driving, and adequate visual processing speed to quickly assess possible dangerous situations [7]. Currently there are numerous motor vehicle modifications that can assist and compensate for reduced driving abilities in the elderly. These modifications include visor extenders, seat and back cushions to help alleviate pain in the back and easy locking seat belts [7]. Safe transportation is critical for seniors to continue to engage in human interactions, and the planning of alternative means of mobility is essential in ensuring a positive quality of life for the senior population.

Positive Outlooks

As people grow older there are numerous strategies for maintaining health and personal agency. Keeping an active role in planning for the future and increasing awareness to the possible issues one faces during the aging process, will ensure a satisfactory retirement and positive outcomes in later years.

Implications of an ageing retiree population on overall society (Stephen's Section)

Since the first baby boomer was born in 1946, the group as a whole has profoundly altered the demographic landscape of Canada throughout every life stage. In 2011, the first baby boomers reached retirement age, and as this disproportionately large cohort continues to age and exit the workforce it will undoubtedly alter Canadian society in a variety of ways. Since fertility rates have greatly declined in the post-baby boom cohorts, and life expectancy is projected to keep increasing, the effect of the baby boomer generation on society as they proceed to later adulthood will be especially pronounced. Future societal change predictions and implications as a result of the increase in retirees will be reviewed -namely, the effects on the Canadian economy and pension, Healthcare services, as well as future directions and potential solutions.

Economy/ Pension

As mentioned, the baby boomers represent a disproportionately large subset of the Canadian population, and as these older adults reach retirement age it will affect the Canadian economy and workforce. More older retirees will likely be relying on government pensions, which is already approaching over-extension. ^[3] Exacerbating this is the fact that there will be less adults working as a result in the increase in retirees, and as such there will be less money being taxed for pension and other social programs. ^[4] This may result in a need to cut governmental spending and social support.^[3] Such cuts may also exacerbate poverty rates among the elderly, especially those who are most vulnerable.^[5]

These concerns implicate all of society, as younger generations may expect to pay more in taxes and may anticipate receiving less government support when it is time for them to reach retirement age .^[6] This is likely to affect consumer spending and savings patterns.^[3] Research from the Unites States has also suggested that inter-generational conflict or tension may arise as a consequence of the strain the baby boomers will place on government programs. ^[7] Though Canadian research on this phenomenon has failed to identify such tension patterns, it is worth considering that tension may emerge as the proportionately larger Canadian baby boomer population continues to age. ^[7]

Healthcare

Compared to other developed nations, Canada is a welfare state, and as such the government provides basic healthcare for all citizens. ^[4] As a result, the effect of the baby boomers on our health care system will also likely be quite profound. As illustrated, Canada's healthcare spending has increased steadily, and it is projected to keep increasing. ^[8]

^[8]

Though one may not expect to see health care spending increase in a society with a slow growing population, however not all health dollars are spent equally across age groups. ^[8] As Image 2 illustrates, older adults use much more health services. ^[8] This is not surprising, as older adults are more likely to suffer chronic illness and disability, and are also more likely to require extensive health care during the end of life.

^[8]

It is also likely that demographic shift to a retiree nation in Canada will greatly alter the structure of the health care system. It is projected that physicians will be in shortage and therefore unable to respond to the increase in demand from seniors.^[9] This will probably lead to a much higher doctor to patient ratio, and will utilize the labour of nurses and nurse practitioners to administer care more often. ^[9] In order to best serve an aging population, Canada's health system will also require a great number of direct care workers such as home health aides and nurse's aides. ^[10] These workers will be responsible for the day-to-day care of many seniors, and they will play an important role in Canada's healthcare system of the future. ^[10] However, this quota will not be easy to fill, as direct care workers are often overworked and underpaid. ^[10] It is important to also consider that less people working will mean less taxable income contributing to the provincial and national health funds, which in turn may affect health services. This is a good illustration of the complex intersection between the high rate of societal retirement, the economy, and the functioning of social institutions.

Potential Responses

Several solutions have been proposed to help offset the effects of the baby boomer generation leaving the workforce during retirement. One of which is an increase in the retirement age, which would require older persons to work for more years, therefore decreasing the amount of years on pension, and increasing the amount of revenue coming in to the government.^[4] This may be a viable way to capitalize from increased life expectancy.Great strides are expected to be made in North American medicine in the coming decades, and it has been suggested that healthcare advances will increase the average life expectancy to over 80 years for males and 86 for females. ^[3] The pension age of 65 was originally designated during a period in which relatively few survived into their 70's. ^[3] In modern society most can expect to live well into their 70's and even 80's, thus raising the age of retirement may restore the pension system to a relative equilibrium. However, not all view this as an ideal solution, as it may force unskilled older workers into minimum wage or high stress service jobs, profoundly diminishing the quality of life for many seniors. ^[5]^[11]

Canada may also try to increase acceptance of skilled immigrants, which would require dramatic changes to immigration policies. ^[12] Such changes would ideally try to reduce the hundreds of thousands of backed up perminant immigration applications and nearly five year waiting periods, and balance grants of residency on the basis of labour skills and economic need, as opposed to soley education and family ties. ^[12]

Notes and References

↑ Dohm, A. (2000). Gauging the labor force effects of retiring baby-boomers. Monthly Labour Review, 17-26.
↑ Dohm, A. (2000). Gauging the labor force effects of retiring baby-boomers. Monthly Labour Review, 17-26.
↑ ^3.0 ^3.1 ^3.2 ^3.3 ^3.4 Harper, S. (2010) The capacity of social security and health care institutions to adapt to an ageing world. International Social Security Review, 63, 177-196.
↑ ^4.0 ^4.1 ^4.2 Kim, K., & Lee, Y. (2008). A qualitative comparative analysis of strategies for an ageing society, with special reference to pension and employment policies. International Journal of Social Welfare, 17, 225-235.
↑ ^5.0 ^5.1 Browdie, R. (2010). The future of aging services in America. Generations, 34(3),56-60.
↑ Hirazawa, M., Kitaura, K., & Yakita, A. (2010). Aging, fertility, social security and political equilibrium. The Journal of Population Economics, 23, 559-569.
↑ ^7.0 ^7.1 Foot, D. K., & Venne, R. (2005). Awakening to the intergenerational equity debate in Canada. Journal of Canadian Studies, 39(1), 5-21.
↑ ^8.0 ^8.1 ^8.2 ^8.3 ^8.4 Canadian Institute for Health Information (2009),National Health Expenditure Trends, Ottawa, ON: CIHI.
↑ ^9.0 ^9.1 Lawrence, D. M., (2010). Healthcare for elders in 2050. Generations, 34(3), 82-85.
↑ ^10.0 ^10.1 ^10.2 Seavey, D. (2010). Caregivers on the front line: Building a better direct-care workforce.Generations, 34(4), 27-35. .
↑ Powell, J. L. (2010).The power of global aging. Ageing International, 35 1-14.
↑ ^12.0 ^12.1 Olijnyk, Z. (2007). Give us your skilled. Canadian Business, 80(20), 78-85.

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