Canada’s Elderly

Today we will discuss Elder Care

1. The looming demographic crisis

2. The Role of the Care Giver and the Sandwich Generation

3. Elder Abuse

Demographic Crisis

How will the twenty somethings of today support the large mass of “boomers” who will increasingly rely on them?

Dependency Load Total segment of the population not actively employed – less

than 14 or older than 65

Dependency Ratio In 1961 ratio was 87:100

By 2001 ratio had fallen under 58:100

By 2016 Canada’s population will climb to 37 million

½ will be over 40

Close to 1/5 will be over 74

Life Expectancy

The Coming Crisis… do you see it?

The Caregiver

Formal Support Doctors, nurses and social workers needed to take care of the

elderly in Canada’s medical institutions Soon to face drastically increased pressure

Issues: Increased cost calls for restructuring of universal health care

though estimates of “medical” requirements may be overblown

The CaregiverInformal support

Approximately 47 million North American baby boomers are informal caregivers to parents, relatives or elderly friends – not including those who are caring for an aging spouse

Gender gaps in informal care

Developmental stake – the gap between support given and perceived support Mental defensive mechanism

Role of spouses – ½ the institutionalization rate – 75 hours/week of care

Sandwich Generation

Caregiver Burden – problems and stress that go along with caregiving

Greater for spouses – does not end with institutionalization Seeing partner declining

Health problems of their own

Limited financial resources

Caregiver Quiz

Video – “Impact of Elder Care on Corporate Canada” (3 min)

Read the Article “Sandwich Generation Pays the Price”

Caregiver, Elder abuse and Neglect

Represent causes of elder abuse

Comment on why/how it’s a “hidden” crime

Take into account the perspectives of the caregiver and elder