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 Caregiver Informal 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