Of course, bargains and savings are great, but what older Canadians really want for National Seniors Day is meaningful change.
Earlier this month, we reached out to the Federal Retirees community to ask a simple question: What would mean the most to you on National Seniors Day?
Our survey asked Canadians aged 65 and up to rank what would be most significant to them on this special day with six choices, including (in no particular order) promoting Seniors Day offers and savings, tackling ageism, connecting with loved ones, participating in intergenerational learning, addressing the crisis in long-term care and launching a national seniors strategy.
Over 400 of you took the time to respond to the survey, many of you sharing details about your personal experiences. Nearly 50 per cent of you told us that what would mean the most this National Seniors Day is seeing the long-term care crisis prioritized by government. A member from our Fraser Valley West branch worded it best: “A special day is a start – recognition but we need action. The situation in long-term care needs to be addressed with national standards, watchdogs to ensure the standards are being met and adequate pay for those working in the homes.”
If you haven’t yet, check out our easy-to-use online tool to let your member of Parliament know that you want to see older adult care prioritized. In honour of National Seniors Day, why not share our tool with someone in your life who feels the same way?
The second most popular response showed that you’d like Canada to prioritize a national seniors strategy. One of our respondents asked, very kindly, what we mean by a national seniors strategy and we’re happy to explain – a national seniors strategy is a coordinated strategy developed to ensure our country meets the evolving needs of older Canadians. Federal Retirees has long called for a national seniors strategy focused on enhancing older Canadians’ quality of life through income security; access to affordable and appropriate housing and transportation; age-friendly communities; and quality health care, including improved long-term, home and community care. Visit our advocacy priorities page to learn more about our recommendations to the federal government.
Another interesting fact – according to the survey, 69 per cent of respondents didn’t actually know that Oct. 1 is designated as National Seniors Day in Canada! Let’s get the word out. Visit our National Seniors Day page for tools, graphics and images.
Thank you to everyone who took the time to respond and especially to those who shared personal comments. Your opinions shape our work and having an engaged community is something for which we, at Federal Retirees, are so thankful.
We’ll leave you with the very sage words of a member of our Montreal branch (translated from the original comment in French): “While waiting for brighter days, let us all celebrate that we are here, individually! Let us reflect on everything life has brought us, everything that it continues to bring us and all that it can still offer us in the future if we are careful.”