Lifecycles
Aging
Canada’s population will undergo
considerable aging as it moves into the
21st century, and this demographic shift
will have social impacts on Canadians.
According to Stats Canada by 2016
Canada’s population will rise to 37
million from 29 million and half of
those people will be over 40 while
16%will be over the age of 74
This is up from the current 12% and the
proportion will increase to almost 25%
by 2041
Role of the
Caregiver
Over the past 10 years about 47 million
baby boomers in NA found themselves
facing the role of caregivers to a
parent, relative or elderly friend
This does not count seniors that will be
caring for a chronically ill spouse
Informal Support: Unpaid help given
by friends, neighbours, and family
Formal Support: Refers to doctors,
nurses, and social workers involved in
caring for the elderly
Role of the
Caregiver
Adult children provide much of the
support to their elderly parent
although researchers have found that
daughters provide more care than sons
This shows that women are considered
more nurturers in the NA culture
A major stress is within adult siblings
taking care of elderly parents
Role of the
caregiver
Also older people feel they
receive less than their
children say they give to deemphasize in order not to see
themselves as a burden on
their children, this refers to
Developmental Stake
-This can result in tension
when adult children don’t
feel appreciated
Role of the
caregiver
Spousal support is another
large area
-Most elderly report that
their spouse is their main
source of support even if
they are old and frail
themselves, approximately
75 hours a week
Caregiver
burden
Refers to problems and stress due to
care giving
Researchers state that spouses
experience more stress than adult
children because they see their partner
decline mentally and physically
Spouses probably have their own
health problems
Caregiver
burden
These stresses are likely to increase
due to changes in the family structure
such as women in the workforce, adult
children living at home and greater
geographic mobility resulting in more
people putting family members in
nursing homes
This burden of the caregiver does not
end due to the long travel time for
visits
Quasi-widowhood: refers to the fact
that women felt relief after their
spouses were placed in institutions, but
they also felt failure, anger, guilt,
sadness, depression and grief
Independent
living
arrangements
As the aging population grows where
will the elderly live?
Less than 5% of the elderly live in
long-term care facilities in Ontario
alone and 100 000 people on a waiting
list
If a senior cannot take care of their
home anymore (outdoor and indoor
choirs) there has to be alternative
arrangements (apartment, living with
adult children etc..)
Recent
popular
trends
Increase in the proportion of older
women living alone
Fewer people living with their adult
children
-People having fewer
children
- Independence is strongly
valued in
our culture
Granny flats
As society ages residential
planners are starting to
explore new ideas in housing
Granny Flats: A granny flat
consists of a portable
modular cottage which is
placed onto the adult child’s
property