A stronger focus on healthy aging initiatives could net Manitoba billions of dollars in benefits in coming years. That’s the message Seniors Vote 2016 sent at Barbara Mitchell Family Resource Centre where members of the coalition of seniors’ organizations met prior to election day.
“We want to see more emphasis on addressing health aging initiatives,” said Jim Evanchuk, Executive Director for the Active Living Coalition for Older Adults in Manitoba. “An investment in healthy aging will tremendously improve the quality of life of older adults, while reducing our society’s health care costs. And because healthy, active seniors are often vital community volunteers, we’ll all benefit that way too.”
Seniors Vote 2016 is a coalition of seven seniors’ organizations representing more than 30,000 older adults in Manitoba. Healthy aging initiatives include investing in facilities and programs that provide affordable and easily accessible activities. Physical inactivity contributes to poor health and higher health care costs. The Canadian Institute for Health Information says more than 45 per cent of government health expenditures in Canada are for people aged 65 and over.
“The more we can keep older adults active, the better,” said Tom Farrell, president of Manitoba Association of Seniors Centres. “But active seniors are also able to volunteer in the community where we know they make a tremendous impact.”
In 2013, volunteers aged 55 and over contributed 39 per cent of the 1.96 billion volunteer hours in Canada, according to Statistics Canada. Based on that, and assuming each volunteer hour replaces a worker at minimum wage, Seniors Vote 2016 estimates older adults (55+) contribute the equivalent of more than $240 million in volunteer time a year in Manitoba.
“Imagine if we invest in solutions for healthy aging, health care and transportation, how much more older adults could contribute,” said Marvin Krawec, president of the Retired Teachers’ Association of Manitoba. “These are issues that are intertwined and deserve the government’s attention. That’s why we are calling for a ministry dedicated to seniors.”
