15th Meeting of Federal, Provincial and Territorial (F/P/T) Ministers Responsible for Seniors

On-going collaboration to support the well-being of seniors living in Canada

YELLOWKNIFE, Oct. 10, 2013 /CNW/ - This week, Federal, Provincial and Territorial (F/P/T) Ministers Responsible for Seniors met to review recent collaborative work and discuss ways to further support the well-being of seniors living in Canada. Building on the forum's actions over the past year, Ministers agreed on shared priorities for the year ahead.

Older Canadians are healthier, living longer, more active lives, and continue to make valuable contributions to our communities, families and workplaces. With the growing number of seniors in Canada the ongoing work in the interest of older Canadians is more important than ever.

"Our government continues to work hard to improve the lives of seniors," said the Honourable Alice Wong, Minister of State (Seniors) and federal meeting co-chair. "I welcome the opportunity to meet with my provincial and territorial colleagues to discuss, among other things, increasing seniors' financial literacy, and ways to help older workers balance the competing demands of work and care."

"In the Northwest Territories, we encourage healthy aging and support seniors to stay with loved ones for their remaining years," said the Honourable Tom Beaulieu, Minister Responsible for Seniors for the Northwest Territories and meeting co-chair. "These past two days, we have shared our healthy aging perspectives with Ministers from all other provinces and territories. We are pleased with the collaboration and discussion among Ministers and we appreciate the opportunity to showcase our territory."

Ministers agreed to work on the following priorities:

• Assist older workers balancing the competing demands of work and care by ensuring that employees and employers are aware of the programs, services and benefits that could potentially enable older workers, who are also caregivers, to continue to be a part of the Canadian labour force;
• Explore options to support seniors and near seniors by increasing awareness for the need to plan for aging in place, including having the knowledge and skills to make informed financial decisions. These options may include how technology can support aging in place.

The F/P/T Ministers Responsible for Seniors approved an information resource on Powers of Attorney and joint bank accounts. This booklet helps develop an understanding of the benefits and risks associated with these two financial management tools commonly used by seniors. The booklet will be made public and will be distributed by the provinces and territories at their discretion.

F/P/T Ministers Responsible for Seniors will reconvene in October 2014 to review progress on the work being done and identify new priorities.

"I look forward to welcoming F/P/T Ministers to continue our ongoing collaboration towards supporting the well-being of seniors in Canada," said Prince Edward Island Minister of Community Services and Seniors Valerie E. Docherty.

Image with caption: "The Honourable Alice Wong, Minister of State (Seniors), with all the Federal, Provincial and Territorial (F/P/T) Ministers Responsible for Seniors. (CNW Group/Employment and Social Development Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20131010_C9114_PHOTO_EN_31965.jpg

SOURCE: Employment and Social Development Canada