The Future of Aging
About This Series
The pandemic is revealing much about Canada’s culture of care. Neighbourhoods are coming together to form mutual aid groups, citizens are delivering food to frontline workers, and family togetherness is being realized, strengthened, and advocated more than ever before. Without a doubt, our culture of care is stronger than ever. But what about Canada’s pre-existing systems of care? The inequalities in elder care, the gaps in digital health, effects of isolation and loneliness, and new types of physical living environments have now been brought to light by COVID-19. How will elder care reform post-pandemic? How might we address people’s needs without compartments of health care and social care? How can the extraordinary, new culture of mutual aid be built into our systems? We’re excited to explore solutions that are creatively transforming all types of care — from family, home, to seniors’ lifestyles — with SE Health.
The pandemic revealed this massive blind spot in elder care
Senior care in Canada is a complex and disconnected system. After the pandemic, experts believe the elder-care system needs to take a more holistic approach that connects the social service of long-term care more closely to the medical system. This story is produced in partnership with SE Health, a social enterprise dedicated to impacting how people live and age at home.
The pandemic has created a fear of aging. Stronger intergenerational bonds could fix that
The COVID-19 pandemic has increased concern for the emotional wellness of older Canadians and the mental health of younger people among healthcare workers. Experts believe this has created an opportunity to leverage intergenerational connections to shape the future of elder care in Canada; if this opportunity is not taken, society will be left in a troubling disconnected state.
Four tips for building intergenerational connection into social impact work
Older Canadians and youth are two of the demographics who’ve suffered the most throughout the pandemic. Experts in intergenerational connection say key to community recovery will be building connection across age groups, but it won’t be easy.