Oct. 1 is National Seniors Day and in recognition the Seniors Planning Table is urging people to think about the positive impact seniors have on our society and what would change without their contribution.
One major area of impact on the Sunshine Coast is that of volunteerism.
Statistics Canada states that although seniors generally volunteer at a lower rate than the population as a whole, “those seniors who do volunteer give many more hours on average than other age groups,” which is certainly true on the Sunshine Coast.
The Sunshine Coast Healthcare Auxiliary is one of the largest volunteer organizations on the Coast and the majority of its members are seniors, who volunteer hundreds of hours each year.
National volunteerism statistics show that seniors across Canada volunteered on average 223 hours in 2010, compared to 167 hours for the 45 to 54 age group and 130 hours for the 15 to 24 age group.
Seniors volunteer their time at places like schools, community events, fundraisers, in service organizations, community groups and on planning initiatives.
Many seniors are also working well past what was once considered to be retirement age.
The latest Statistics Canada figures show that in 2013, 25.5 per cent of the labour force (a total of 416,300 people) was aged 65 to 69.
That same year a total of 218,000 seniors aged 70 and over were employed in Canada.
“At the Seniors Planning Table, seniors are seen as an asset in the community,” a press release from the Resource Centre, which facilitates the planning table, stated.
“In recognition of National Seniors Day, we invite you to consider what would change if seniors did not contribute to so many aspects of this community. So take a senior to lunch or find some way to say thank you.”
