1999 United Nations International Year

of Older Persons

The Community and Neighbourhood Services Committee recommends the adoption of the recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Homes for the Aged embodied in the following communication (May 28, 1998) from the City Clerk:

Recommendation:

The Advisory Committee on Homes for the Aged on May 28, 1998, recommended to the Community and Neighbourhood Services Committee, and Council:

(1) the adoption of the attached report (May 26, 1998) from the General Manager, Homes for the Aged; and

(2) that a staff group, comprised of representatives of the Community and Neighbourhood Services Department, Healthy City Office, Public Health Department, Parks and Recreation Department, and any other interested parties involved in seniors issues, including the Advisory Committee on Homes for the Aged and the Seniors Task Force, be established to ensure that an integrated plan for events is in place for the 1999 United Nations International Year of Older Persons, and report thereon through the Community and Neighbourhood Services Committee.

(Report dated May 21, 1998, addressed to the

Advisory Committee on Homes for the Aged, from the

General Manager, Homes for the Aged)

Purpose:

This report provides information on the United Nations International Year of Older Persons (IYOP) in 1999 and proposes a mechanism whereby the City of Toronto can support and be involved in IYOP recognition events and advocacy issues.

Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement:

None.

Recommendations:

It is recommended that:

(1) this report be forwarded to the Community and Neighbourhood Services Committee;

(2) the Community and Neighbourhood Services Committee support the official involvement of the City of Toronto in the International Year of Older Persons;

(3) the Community and Neighbourhood Services Committee determine the most appropriate committee/task force that should be charged with the responsibility of planned IYOP recognition events and advocacy issues; and

(4) the appropriate City officials be authorized and directed to take the necessary action to give effect thereto.

Background:

Global demographics have changed and are continuing to change rapidly with studies showing that by the end of the current century 20 years will have been added to the average life span. Longevity is recognized as one of the great achievements of the 20th century; but this, coupled with a decrease in fertility, is creating a global change in the proportion of older persons, those aged 60 and above, from 1 in 14 to 1 in 4.

To meet the challenges of changing demographics, the United Nations (UN), in 1982, convened the World Assembly on Aging and, in the same year, the General Assembly endorsed an International Plan of Action on Aging. A practical strategy for the decade 1992-2001 includes the observance of the year 1999 as the International Year of Older Persons.

Comments:

The UN General Assembly's Proclamation on Aging states that the IYOP is being celebrated "in recognition of humanity's demographic coming of age and the promise it holds for maturing attitudes and capabilities in social, economic, cultural and spiritual undertakings, not least for global peace and development in the next century".

It is hoped that observance of the IYOP will be an integral stage in the evolution of the UN programme on aging, whose overall objective is the promotion of the United Nations Principles for Older Persons, their translation into policy, as well as practical programs and actions.

The UN's 18 Principles for Older Persons are grouped into five categories:

(1) Independence: Older persons need access to basic services and care; opportunities to work or make income; ability to influence the pace of withdrawal from the labour force; access to education and training opportunities; safe living environments and support to reside at home for as long as possible.

(2) Participation: Older persons should remain integrated in society and participate in decision making; be able to share their knowledge and skills with younger generations; be able to seek and develop opportunities for service to the community; and be able to form movements or associations of older persons.

(3) Care: Older persons should benefit from family and community care and protection; have access to health, social and legal services; be able to utilize appropriate levels of institutional care providing protection, rehabilitation and social and mental stimulation in a humane and secure environment; should enjoy human rights and freedoms when residing in any shelter, care or treatment facility, including full respect for their dignity, beliefs, needs and privacy for the right to make decisions about their care and the quality of their lives.

(4) Self-fulfilment: Older persons should be able to pursue opportunities for the full development of their potential; and should have access to the educational, cultural, spiritual and recreational resources of society.

(5) Dignity: Older persons should be able to live in dignity and security and be free of exploitation and physical or mental abuse; should be treated fairly regardless of age, gender, racial or ethnic background, disability or other status; and be valued independently of their economic contribution.

In support of the UN initiative, the Federal Government has set up a committee on the observance of IYOP with representation from all provinces. The Ontario Government's response to date has been the implementation of the Ontario IYOP Enabling Committee chaired by Margaret Harche, President of the Councils on Aging Network of Ontario (CANO). The Enabling Committee's mission statement is "to work towards the development of opportunities and the implementation of activities which will increase public awareness and action about the important role that older persons play in all walks of life in Ontario, in line with the twelve determinants of health, as identified by Health Canada, within the United Nations International Year of Older Persons theme 'Towards a Society for all Ages', for the year 1999; and to recognize the role that seniors have played in previous generations, their role today, and the future roles in our changing society."

The Final Draft of the Strategic Plan is attached, and includes the committee's five key objectives for the IYOP for which working committees have been struck: Research/Policy Action; Health Strategies; Education and the Development of an Intergenerational Curriculum; Communication to provide information on aging and positive presentations of the Older Person; and Celebratory Kick-Off Event(s).

Summary:

The local municipalities now amalgamated as the City of Toronto have a long history of consultation with and support for its elderly citizens. Census information from 1996 showed that the population of elderly (over 60) was 17.9 percent, an increase of 10 percent from 1991. This rate of growth is double the 5 percent increase seen in the City as a whole since 1991.

The City of Toronto is a major provider of programs and services to the growing population of the elderly. It is important, for the future of the elderly of Toronto, that the City maintain its leadership role as advocate for the issues of its elderly citizens.

IYOP offers the City of Toronto an opportunity to participate in a global effort to celebrate and benefit the elderly, and to confirm and showcase its past and future as the City for all ages.

Contact Name:

Rick Salmon, Supervisor, Operational Planning

Tel: 392-8926/Fax: 392-4180

E-mail: rick_salmon@metrodesk.metrotor.on.ca

(A copy of the document "Towards a Society for all Ages", the Ontario Enabling Committee Strategic Plan 1998-1998, was forwarded to all Members of the Council with the agenda of the Community and Neighbourhood Services Committee for its meeting on June 18, 1998, and a copy thereof is on file in the office of the City Clerk.)