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Canada's Seniors
At A Glance
Seniors Give Generously
- Households headed by seniors spend a larger share of their total income
on gifts and charities than do younger households. Over one-fifth of
all households headed by seniors spend at least one-tenth of their total
after-tax income on gifts and charities, compared with seven per cent
of households headed by people aged 35 to 54 years.
- Seniors also give generously of their time. About half a million seniors
provide unpaid care to other seniors and 400,000 provide such care to
children. Women aged 65 and older are slightly more likely than men
of the same age to be unpaid caregivers.
Most Seniors are Healthy and Fit
- About three-quarters of seniors aged 65 to 74 and two-thirds of those
aged 75 and older rate their health as good, very good or excellent.
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Approximately one-half of seniors are physically active for 15 minutes
or more at least 12 times per month. The most popular physical activities
are walking, gardening, home exercise, swimming and dancing.
Most Seniors Live Independently
- The vast majority of seniors live independently and do not require
help with daily tasks. Only seven per cent of people aged 65 and older
live in institutions.
- When assistance is required with daily tasks, women between the ages
of 35 and 55 most commonly provide unpaid care to seniors. About one-quarter
of middle-aged women offer unpaid care to seniors.
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