Since 1991, August 21 has been celebrated as World Senior Citizen Day! Senior Citizen Day offers an opportunity to appreciate our senior citizen population and celebrate their accomplishments. Estimates put that in Canada, roughly 7.6 million individuals are over the age of 65, which is a number that is expected to grow in the coming years. A growing senior citizen population has all kinds of effects on society both economically and socially.
Economic-wise, one fear is that an aging population could put additional strains on healthcare, however, studies have shown that the same technology that allows us to live longer also allows us to be productive longer, offsetting any potential strain. Furthermore, future investments could be driven by the accumulated wealth of an older population. A more robust senior population has also helped to offset the declining fertility rates being observed worldwide. All things considered, the concern that an aging population might cost society more has not been observed to be true, and there’s good reason to believe it won’t.
On the other hand, there is a wealth of benefits to be had from a growing senior demographic. Firstly, having grandparents and the presence of older adults can vastly improve the welfare of family life. Whether it’s financial assistance, or simply providing additional care for children, the practical benefits that a senior population has in families is often overlooked. Outside of families, it’s been shown that individuals over 60 are observed to regularly participate in their communities as well.
Celebrating our senior citizens means celebrating the knowledge and experience that accumulates over a lifetime, the family and community connections that they’ve helped to develop and maintain, and all the contributions they’ve made to society. From the loving grandparents to the elder’s who look out for and care for our communities, cheers to you!