Canada ranks fourth when it comes to the well-being of its older residents according to Global AgeWatch Index. The index ranks countries on scales that measure economic security, health and other factors. Norway and Sweden were at the top of the Global AgeWatch Index while Afghanistan ranked last of the 96 nations in the index as reported in the Globe and Mail. HelpAge International, a London-based non-profit, completed the list. The 13 indicators measured include life expectancy, coverage by pension plans, access to public transit, and the poverty rate for people over 60. The report found 97.7 per cent of Canadians 65 and over receive a pension and 7.2 per cent of those 60 and over have an income less than half the national median. According to HelpAge, there are now about 868 million people in the world over 60 – nearly 12 per cent of the global population. By 2050, that’s expected to rise to 2.02 billion, or 21 per cent of the total. The new report devotes special attention to the issue of pensions and their role in helping older people remain active and self-sufficient. According to HelpAge, only half the world’s population can expect to receive even a basic pension in old age. It urged governments to move faster to extend pension coverage as their elderly populations grow. The United Way managed program Better at Home helps seniors stay in their homes longer as they age by providing non-medical support services.
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