A Decade of Healthy Ageing in Canada Must Start with a National Seniors Strategy

October 1 is the International Day of Older Persons ( #UNIDOP2021). This year, the occasion has a deep significance as we reflect upon the devastating consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic for older adults and the actions we must take to reform our systems of care. The urgent message of the pandemic is much larger, however. This crisis laid bare the systemic gaps and failures that have existed for decades in Canada’s political, social and economic approach to ageing. The message for #UNIDOP2021 in Canada is this—we need a plan.

As we look to actualize the UN Decade of Healthy Ageing (2021-2031) in Canada—described by the World Health Organization as "ten years of concerted, catalytic, sustained collaboration”—the first step needs to be the creation of a comprehensive, national strategy and plan. Meaningful and lasting change is not rooted in disparate, if well-intentioned, actions. Real reform requires a blueprint—clarity of purpose, genuine consultation, thorough planning, consistent execution, sustained political will and an ongoing commitment to evidence-based solutions.

The good news is, the National Institute on Ageing (NIA) has already begun this work. In fact, we started back in 2015. That year, we published the first edition of our National Seniors Strategy, which maps out the kinds of policies, programs, resources and services Canada needs to develop to meet the challenges and harness the opportunities of an ageing population. As a national, non-partisan advocacy and research centre, the NIA developed the National Seniors Strategy to act as a foundation, a cornerstone of research and evidence-based policy solutions that governments, businesses and civil society can use to strengthen the health, well-being and financial security of Canadians as we age.

We are proud to have helped advance a number of our recommendations over the years, in areas including:

·      Better addressing social isolation

·      Strengthening financial security in retirement

·      Improving housing and home-based supports

·      Reforming long-term care

·      Developing age-friendly communities

·      Enabling pharmacare

·      Expanding caregiver supports

Now in its third edition, the 14 areas focus in the NIA’s current National Seniors Strategy are also echoed in the 4 overarching priorities of the UN’s Decade of Healthy Ageing. These include: the creation of age-friendly environments, combatting ageism, integrated care and long-term care.

By 2031—the end of the Decade of Healthy Ageing—one in four Canadians will be 65 years and better. The repercussions of the choices we make today, will have a direct and continual impact on older adults, and all Canadians, for generations to come. This is something we must get right. If we act quickly, to make the best possible decisions, based on the highest quality research and data, we can build the society we want to live in as we age. The policies we create, the resources we dedicate, the economic reforms we implement can support Canada to progress and evolve through this time of seismic demographic change. And drafting and adopting the country’s first National Seniors Strategy must be the first step.

The issues faced by older adults are layered, complex and intersect in a multitude of ways with identity, gender, lived experience and other aspects of social location. Ageing must be approached nationally, comprehensively and equitably from coast-to-coast-to-coast.

Let’s enter a Decade of Healthy Ageing in Canada with an act of unequivocal commitment to the health, social well-being and financial security of older adults. It’s time for a National Seniors Strategy. Learn more at NationalSeniorsStrategy.ca. Follow us @NSS_Now.

Dr. Samir Sinha is the Director of Health Policy Research at the National Institute on Ageing.