New research reveals that wealthier Canadians live longer and are less likely to become dependent as they age. This article explores the socioeconomic factors driving these disparities and the implications for long-term care policies in Canada. It highlights the growing challenge of population aging and the need for equitable solutions to support vulnerable groups. Aging in Canada and long-term care are key topics discussed.
The Widening Longevity Gap
Population aging is a significant challenge facing developed countries like Canada, with profound implications for their healthcare and long-term care systems. Projections indicate that the population of individuals aged 80 and above in OECD countries will more than double by 2050, reaching 9.8% of the total population.
This demographic shift highlights the growing demand for high-quality long-term care services. As people age, they often experience limitations in their daily living activities, such as dressing, washing, and performing household tasks. By 2050, it’s expected that half of people aged 65 or older in OECD nations will report some limitation in their daily living, and the number of dementia cases is projected to reach 42 million. Canada is not exempt from this trend, with the number of individuals in Québec requiring help with daily activities expected to nearly double by 2050.
The Wealth-Longevity Connection
While life expectancy has increased overall, research indicates that it is unevenly distributed across socioeconomic groups. Factors such as age, ethnicity, gender, income, and education play a significant role in determining longevity. In Canada, men in the top 5% of earners live, on average, 11% longer than those in the bottom 5%. For women, the longevity gap between those with the highest and lowest earnings is 3.6 years. These findings are consistent with research from other countries, including the United States.
Similarly, studies suggest that lower socioeconomic status is associated with poorer health outcomes and higher disability rates among older adults. In the United Kingdom and the U.S., individuals in the bottom third of wealth distribution live seven to nine fewer years without disability compared to those in the top third. In Europe, less wealthy individuals have a higher likelihood of becoming dependent and they remain dependent for longer periods.
Designing Equitable Long-Term Care Policies
The socioeconomic disparities in longevity and dependency have important implications for designing long-term care policies in Canada. Wealthier individuals tend to live longer and are less often dependent, meaning they are in a better position to pay for long-term care expenses. On the other hand, low-income individuals are more likely to become dependent and may experience greater financial strain if they need to pay for long-term care costs over an extended period, potentially driving them into poverty.
To address these inequities, the research recommends that provincial and territorial governments should adopt redistributive policies for long-term care. This could involve providing additional subsidies aimed at low-income older individuals, either as a preventive measure or when they first become dependent. Designing policies that recognize these disparities can help ensure a more equitable and sustainable long-term care system in Canada.
