The future of aging in Canada

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: the COVID-19 pandemic has been challenging beyond measure. This is especially true for seniors and the organizations working tirelessly to support them. These challenges have highlighted how we must work across sectors and jurisdictions to support seniors, their families and caregivers. As the co-chair for the Federal, Provincial, and Territorial (FPT) Ministers Responsible for Seniors Forum, it was my pleasure to join Honourable Deb Schulte, federal Minister of Seniors, to represent FPT colleagues at the Future of Aging in Canada symposium on June 8, 2021.

The virtual symposium brought together experts and service providers from across Canada to talk about the key issues facing seniors today, including social isolation, technology, healthy aging, and elder abuse prevention. A report from the symposium will be available on the Forum’s website in the coming months. You will also be able to read about the Forum’s most recent meeting, where we discussed the outcomes of the symposium.

Alberta may still be a young province, but our seniors population is on the rise and is expected to grow to more than one million by 2035. Alberta’s government continues to work with its partners to provide programs and services to help older adults stay safe, healthy, and connected to their communities. In fact, this year we plan to work with stakeholders and the public to better understand, recognize, prevent and respond to elder abuse. I look forward to making an announcement about that initiative soon.

By participating in collaborative ventures, such as the FPT Forums, cross-Canada stakeholder conversations, and more, we can better support seniors through our collective efforts. To the many outstanding organizations working to support seniors across Alberta and across Canada – thank you for your dedication. Alberta’s government is with you.