Affordable Housing and Services for Seniors

Affordable Housing and Services for Seniors
Canadas population is ageing at an alarming rate. The number of seniors in our society is expected to sky rocket in 2011 when the first set of baby boomers reaches 65 (Statistics Canada, 2005) . It is estimated that by 2021 there will be 700 000 more seniors (Statistics Canada, 2006).
At the present time, there is already a shortage of affordable housing and services for seniors; many seniors live on very low incomes, and face financial burdens (Canadian Pensioners Concerned Inc., 2005). With such a large ageing population, the issue of affordable housing becomes more critical. Those who choose to continue living independently in their own homes are forced to pay a heavy price. About fifty percent of their income is spent on shelter (Canadian Pensioners Concerned Inc., 2005). This becomes worse for individuals who are no longer living with their spouse, especially for elderly females since many of them do not qualify for the Canadian pension plan as they were home makers during their youth (Canadian Pensioners Concerned Inc., 2005).
In general, our seniors have grown up taking care of themselves where they have been fiercely independent and most of them do not wish to become a burden to their family members. We are a group of Ryerson University nursing students that are trying to support these individuals, in their quest for affordable housing and independent living. Please help us in this endeavour by signing this petition in support of this cause. We would then take this petition to city councillors and Members of Parliament in order to facilitate change in the amount of affordable housing for seniors
Our senior population has helped build the country we now live in. It is through their dedication and hard work that we live in a nation of stability, peace and prosperity. It is now our turn to return the favour, it is now our turn to reach out a helping hand to our ageing parents, friends, and neighbours.

References

Population Projections (2005). The Daily: Population Projections. Retrieved February 5,2008 from: http://www.statcan.ca/Daily/English/051215/d051215b.htm

Canadian Pensioners Concerned Inc., Ontario Division (2005). Senior homelessness in Ontario presentation to the Ontario senior secretariat: Housing liaison committees. Received January 8th, 2008, from:
http://www.canpension.ca/pages/pdf/homeless.pdf

Wister, A & Outman, G. (1997). Housing older Canadians: Current patterns, preferences and policies. Journal of Housing for the Elderly 12 (1), 19-35. Retrieved December 18th, 2007, from Proquest nursing database.