On Oct. 2, Harmony Hall members and a room full of Sunshine Coast seniors heard all about CARP, Canada’s largest advocacy association for Canadians as we age. CARP, formerly the Canadian Association for Retired Persons, advocates for better health care, financial security and freedom from ageism.
CARP won big in 2016 with the following major victories:
First, only one-third of Canadians have a workplace pension plan. The median value of retirement assets of those aged 55 to 75 with no accrued employer pension benefits is just over $3,000. This spells a looming retirement crisis. In 2016 the majority of provinces agreed to an enhancement to the CPP. When fully implemented, individuals will retire with a pension equal to 33 per cent of their workplace earnings, up from 25 per cent.
Secondly, OAS eligibility has been restored to 65.
Third, $3 billion was committed to home care.
Fourth, the 2016 federal budget included an increase of up to $1,000 a year from Canada’s lowest-income single seniors. CARP had been pushing for this change for many years and was delighted that our most financially vulnerable elderly citizens received some relief.
Among ongoing challenges, the audience heard that one in four single seniors live in poverty; these are primarily women.
Unpaid, informal caregivers provide $26 billion in unpaid care every year. Additionally more than 100,000 seniors who are eligible for Guaranteed Income Security are not getting it.
Startling were the statistics on injuries from resident-on-resident aggression in long-term care: over 10,000 acts every year. One-third of residents living in residence don’t need to be there – and don’t want to be. And over half of the residents don’t get to bathe as often as they want, eat when they want, or spend time with like-minded people.
Those who are fortunate enough to be able to participate in corporate pension plans heard that the news on this front is not particularly rosy. About 1.3 million corporate pensioners are at risk.
And while there are no protections in B.C., in Ontario seniors enjoy a $1,000-a-month guarantee. If you are interested in more protections you can sign a petition at: carp.ca/pensioners.
– Submitted by Donna Johansen
