A8

by Jim Levine
This Week Staff

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I don't know if you've noticed, but the Metro Moncton area, like the rest of the world, is aging. On the plus side, to have more of our population living longer and growing old together is a great privilege and an accomplishment to an advancing civilization. But it is also a challenge for our communities, and one that will need addressing seriously in the years to come.

As all three communities prepare campaigns in the next couple of weeks to mark International Day of Older Persons (which is technically Oct. 1 but is flexible as far as municipal celebrations go), we become aware that what we are seeing locally is part of a global trend.

In 2000, there were 600 million people aged 60 and over; there will be 1.2 billion by 2025 and two billion by 2050.

In the developed world, such as Canada, the category described by statisticians as "very old," meaning 80 years-plus, is the fastest growing population group. And women outlive men in virtually all societies so in the very old age category, the ratio of women to men is two to one.

Our senior populations sometimes are portrayed as people who will drain our health system, stop contributing actively to our economic growth and simply people that need taking care of. The reality of life is that this is just not so. There is no study to support any of those misconceptions.

In reality, and certainly evident in our Metro Moncton area, we see older people increasingly playing crucial roles, by volunteering, by transmitting experience and knowledge, and helping their families with child-care and home-maintenance responsibilities, even pitching in at work.

Economic development groups are looking at the whole issue of how more firms can lure back older workers.

The World Health Organization is doing its part to focus communities are building age-friendly cities, since the bulk of our older citizens in developed countries gravitate to cities and towns. In 2007, more than half of the global population lived in cities. By 2030, the World Health Organization suggests about three out of five people will live in cities.

They are seeking opportunities to stay involved in their communities, to gain necessary information about programs for the aged and the means to stay healthy, including community support and health services.

Age-friendly cities start off by having affordable transportation costs. Codiac Transit here in Metro Moncton is already some leadership on this issue this summer by allowing seniors over the age of 65 to ride the bus for free on Wednesdays.

The program is continuing into this fall while it is being reviewed, so if you have been considering checking out the bus system in your neighbourhood, this is the best chance you are going to get. You'd be surprised how reasonable and convenient it is from most neighbourhoods, especially when as seniors you can travel at times not linked to the morning rush.

There are other indications Moncton, Riverview and Dieppe are taking the concerns of seniors seriously. Quality of life issues like safe and well maintained walking trails, benches in public areas, and special recreational activities are featured.

The City of Moncton has announced it will celebrate International Day of Older Persons Oct. 5 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Moncton Lions Community Centre, 473 St. George St., with refreshments and entertainment to be offered. Mayor George LeBlanc, carrying on the tradition set by former mayor Lorne Mitton, also has a Seniors' Advisory Committee.

In Riverview, Cecile Cassista is chair of the Senior Roundtable, a group that is working hard to meet with different clubs, organizations, and individuals in Riverview to bring together seniors' concerns. Issues being discussed are senior transportation, housing, wheelchair access in the town hall and many other things.

You can call Harold Gibson at 386-7515 to contact the committee and they will present your concerns to the next committee meeting.

The organizations that are currently represented include the Albert County Action Committee, Riverview Lions, Lioness, CARP, Bridgedale Seniors and Riverview Senior Citizens Club. The roundtable group also has a town councillor, Ann Seamans, who acts as a liaison between the mayor and the roundtable.

The idea of the day was actually provided by the General Assembly of the United Nations, and it was observed for the first time throughout the world Oct. 1, 1991. By designating this special day for seniors, the assembly was trying to give recognition to the contributions of seniors to development.

They also wanted to draw attention to a demographic phenomenon, the graying of the population, the dawn of the so-called "age of aging."

* Jim Levine's column discusses seniors and their lifestyles, looking at traditional and non-traditional issues that dominate our discussions about the care and comfort of the older members of our society in New Brunswick. Please send any comments or suggestions about life out of the fast lane to Jim at thisweek@brunswicknews.com.