Fighting ageism
“We are in a society where there is ageism and we must counter that. This is why we have adopted a government strategy called “The pride of aging”,” declared The Press the Minister responsible for Seniors, Sonia Bélanger. The 2024-2029 government action plan includes a series of measures, including the deployment of a communications strategy to promote a positive image of aging and seniors in Quebec. Workers working with seniors will also be trained to recognize ageism. Minister Bélanger wants to change the population’s outlook on old age. “If we ask [une personne] if she can’t wait to be old, the answer will be no,” she laments, recalling that it is “a privilege to grow old.”
Increase home support
Minister Bélanger will announce on Friday the adoption of a national home care and services policy. She thus wishes to “improve and simplify access to services and reduce waiting lists”. The home support services currently offered in the province are far from sufficient to meet the needs of the population. More than 20,000 people are still waiting for a first home support service, according to data from the government action plan. In-home support may include help with everyday tasks such as meal preparation and personal care, allowing seniors to continue living in their environment.
PHOTO JACQUES BOISSINOT, CANADIAN PRESS ARCHIVES
The Minister for Health and Responsible for Seniors, Sonia Bélanger
Make travel easier
The Ministry of Health and Social Services (MSSS) will not be the only one to contribute to the government action plan. Around thirty other ministries will have their own objectives to achieve by 2029 to promote the well-being of older people. For example, the Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility will be called upon to finance more public transportation projects to facilitate travel for seniors in rural areas. For its part, the Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ) will have to put in place initiatives to promote the safety of seniors when they travel.
Encourage an active lifestyle
The MSSS and Quebec public health must, for their part, promote the daily adoption of a physically active lifestyle among seniors.
Prevention is so important and we must start as early as possible, said the minister. Do physical activity at 65, even if you’ve never done it in your life […]it makes a difference to your health and your life expectancy.
Sonia Bélanger, Minister for Health and Responsible for Seniors
The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPAQ) will be responsible for promoting healthy eating among seniors, by creating 48 culinary workshops per year, including cooking video clips and recipe cards.
More affordable housing
The Société d’habitation du Québec will be asked to increase the supply of affordable housing for seniors and to support low-income seniors in paying their rent.
There will be 4,000 new affordable housing units for seniors which will have to be put in place quickly.
Sonia Bélanger, Minister for Health and Responsible for Seniors
The Ministry of Justice will also be responsible for setting up a legal advice service on housing for seniors. To encourage intergenerational interactions, the government also wants to integrate educational childcare services into seniors’ homes and CHSLDs. Quebec also wishes to encourage municipalities and MRCs to develop new models of intergenerational housing.
PHOTO ALAIN ROBERGE, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
The Société d’habitation du Québec will be invited to increase the supply of affordable housing for seniors.
Promoting the return to work of retirees
Finally, the Ministry of Employment and Social Solidarity will promote the hiring, retention and return to employment of experienced workers. The government has set itself the objective of returning 15,000 people aged 65 to 69 to the job market, said Minister Bélanger, assuring that those who volunteer will not be penalized in their pensions. If they wish, seniors will be able to occupy positions different from those they held before.