Canada's Aging Population

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The aging population is a major demographic change that Canada will have to face. According to statistics on these changes, the number of people aged 65 or older could double in the next 20 years (“Canada's Aging Population: Impacts and Challenges,” 2012). This rapid growth in the aging population has many negative implications for various aspects of Canadian society. The resources, both human and financial, that are required to support the current basic needs of Canada’s growing aging population will put great stress on the population responsible for supporting them. Thus, the aging population will be affected themselves, in addition to their families and society as a whole. The aging population will be affected themselves by the nationwide …show more content…

Statistics Canada has reported, “In 2012, 8 million Canadians, or 28% of the population aged 15 and over, provided care to family members or friends with a long-term health condition, a disability or problems associated with aging.” The caregiver burden placed on people who must support their senior family members can result in economic hardship in their lives. A statistic relating to this states of regular caregivers, “[…] 28% who cared for a child and 20% who cared for a spouse experienced financial difficulties as a result of their caregiving responsibilities. This proportion was 7% among those who regularly helped their parents” (“Family caregiving,” 2013). While 7% does not seem that significant, it has the potential to grow in the future, especially as more of the population ages, lives longer, and more illness occur. There are also emotional and psychological aspects of the caregiver burden that can take a toll on people who care for their aging relatives. For example, “Among regular caregivers […] 21% who helped their parents reported feeling depressed” (“Family caregiving,” 2013). Caring for elderly family members will add strain to people financially and emotionally as they try to find the time and resources to meet the needs of their aging family as well as support themselves. It is especially difficult to care for the elderly …show more content…

An area of major concern is the effects on healthcare costs and taxes. The Globe and Mail reports, “Canadians are living longer, with more diseases. A growing number are developing multiple chronic medical conditions, such as diabetes, high blood pressure and kidney disease” (“Canada's aging population will strain the health-care system,” 2012). The aging demographic will be a test for Canada’s health-care system. That trend will put huge demands on the resources for long-term care and home care by 2030, and will continue for the next 30 years. Older seniors are more likely to have health problems or need help to stay in their homes (“Canada's aging population will strain the health-care system,” 2012). Another societal aspect that the aging population will impact and cause potential issues for is the workforce. From a CTV news

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