Healthy Aging in Canada: A New Vision, A Vital Investment, From Evidence to Action—A Background Paper

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Table of Contents

Acknowledgements

Executive Summary

Part I: Introduction

• 1. Setting the Stage
  
  
  • About This Paper
  • How Old is Older?
  • What Does the Older Population Look Like?
  • What is Healthy Aging?
  • How Healthy are Older Canadians?
• 2. A Vital Investment
  
  
  • The Demographic Imperative
  • More Sound Reasons to Invest in Healthy Aging
• 3. A Vision for Healthy Aging
  
  
  • A New Vision
  • Building on a Solid Foundation
  • Reducing Inequities

Part II: Key Areas of Focus

• 4. Social Connectedness and Healthy Aging
  
  
  • Elements of Social Connectedness
  • Social Connectedness Among Older Canadians
  • Knowledge Gaps
  • Promising Practices
  • Directions for Policy and Practice
• 5. Physical Activity and Healthy Aging
  
  
  • Benefits of Physical Activity
  • Costs and Savings Associated with Physical Activity
  • Activity Levels of Older Canadians
  • Barriers to Participation
  • Knowledge Gaps
  • Promising Practices
  • Directions for Policy and Practice
• 6. Healthy Eating and Healthy Aging
  
  
  • Benefits of Healthy Eating and Risks of Poor Nutrition
  • Costs Associated with Unhealthy Eating
  • Healthy Eating Among Older Canadians
  • Healthy Eating and Healthy Weights
  • Knowledge Gaps
  • Promising Practices
  • Directions for Policy and Practice
• 7. Falls Prevention and Healthy Aging
  
  
  • The Consequences of Falls
  • Preventing Injuries Due to Falls
  • Costs and Savings Associated with Falls
  • Falls Among Older Canadians
  • Knowledge Gaps
  • Promising Practices
  • Directions for Policy and Practice
• 8. Tobacco Control and Healthy Aging
  
  
  • Health Consequences of Smoking
  • Costs of Smoking in Older Age
  • Smoking Habits of Older Canadians
  • Knowledge Gaps
  • Promising Practices
  • Directions for Policy and Practice

Part III: Achieving the Vision

• 9. A Framework for Action
  
  
  • Mechanisms for Action
  • Key Actors and Stakeholders
• 10. Moving Forward

References

Appendices

• Appendix A: Opportunities to Build On
• Appendix B: More Promising Practices

A Background Paper Prepared for the Federal, Provincial and Territorial Committee of Officials (Seniors)

Participating Governments:
Government of Alberta
Government of British Columbia
Government of Manitoba
Government of New Brunswick
Government of Newfoundland and Labrador
Government of Northwest Territories
Government of Nova Scotia
Government of Nunavut
Government of Ontario
Government of Prince Edward Island
Government of Quebec*
Government of Saskatchewan
Government of Yukon
Government of Canada

Members of the Healthy Aging and Wellness Working Group British Columbia
Canada
Manitoba
Newfoundland & Labrador
Nova Scotia
Ontario

The opinions expressed in this document are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the position of a particular jurisdiction.

September 2006

* The government of Quebec contributed to the present document by sharing information and best practices; however, it is not taking part in the joint initiatives mentioned in the document because it assumes full responsibility for activities pertaining to health and social services.

Acknowledgements

This background paper and its complementary brief were prepared for the Healthy Aging and Wellness Working Group of the Federal/Provincial/Territorial (F/P/T) Committee of Officials (Seniors). The working group would like to thank Peggy Edwards and Aysha Mawani from The Alder Group who researched and drafted the larger report and prepared this brief.

Key Informants

Jane Barratt, International Federation on Ageing
Larry Chambers, University of Ottawa Institute on Health of the Elderly
Tessa Graham, Ministry of Health Planning, Government of British Columbia
Janice Keefe, Mount Saint Vincent University
Anne Meloche, (Tobacco) Program Training and Consultation Centre, Ontario
Sandra O'Brien-Cousins, University of Alberta
Shannon Parker, Calgary Health Region
Helene Payette, University of Sherbrooke
Louise Plouffe, World Health Organization
Vicky Scott, V. Scott Consulting

 

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