PRINCE GEORGE – It is the fastest growing demographic in Canada. Seniors. According to StatsCan, there are 7.8 million Canadians over the age of 65 and over.
In fact, there are nearly 12,000 octogenarians.
That is why BC’s new Seniors Advocate is conducting a survey on ageism. And ageism runs the gamut. The Advocate cites one notable example.
“We’re all familiar with the high-profile case of Lisa LaFlamme, the national news anchor who went from a certain colour of hair to grey. And what happened to her? She no longer was in that chair on the nightly news,” says Dan Leavitt, BC’s Seniors Advocate.
But ageism strikes in any number of venues: Health care, the workplace. And locally, the Council of Seniors sees a regular cast of four for seniors.
“One of the major ones that we actually hear in our office almost every day is the affordability of housing, food security, transportation. And access to health care. Not having a family doctor,” says Malhar Kendurkar, Executive Director, for the Prince George Council of Seniors. “Those are these are the four main challenges that we are actually facing in our community.”
Within the Office of the Seniors Advocate, there are advisory groups representing the different health authorities. And each advisor pinpoints issues relevant to their various regions.
“For us, for example, transportation is a huge question. And certainly, in some small communities, you don’t even have the option of a taxi if you can afford it. Getting from one small community into Prince George for health services or any other services. That situation of transportation also impacts people in the Lower Mainland. But differently,” says Dawn Hemingway, one of two Council Advisors in Northern BC. ”
“The interesting thing about ageism that I want to point out is that ‘ageism’ may be one of the last socially-accepted ‘isms.’ And when you think about this particular ‘ism’ ‘if you’re lucky enough to live a long life, you will become that group of people that you’re currently discriminated against or have a prejudice or a stereotype,” says Leavitt.
What happens to the results? The Seniors Advocate will issue a series of reports identifying one major issue.
“What is it like to live in British Columbia as an older person or a younger person? Because ageism cuts both ways. Then we will likely issue reports on things like age discrimination in the workplace. And we’ll look at enabling legislation that is allowing this to happen, that needs to change.”
The short survey is available online until December 13th.
