Statistics Important to Planning Future

Nova Scotians now have access to accurate information on the living arrangements, leisure habits, income security and other characteristics of the province's seniors.

The Seniors' Secretariat released a 2005 Seniors' Statistical Profile, today, Oct. 19, in time for a national conference on aging to be held in Halifax at the end of the week.

"This report is a valuable resource for those who work with seniors in the province," said Valerie White, executive director of the Seniors' Secretariat. "We invite policy makers at all levels of government and the media to use our statistical profile as a helpful tool for planning and to ensure accuracy in developing reports."

Ms. White will participate in a panel discussion on how statistical files can be used to address important research and policy questions related to aging. The panel is part of the Canadian Association on Gerontology's 34th annual scientific and educational meeting, to be held at the Westin Nova Scotian Hotel in Halifax from Thursday, Oct. 20, to Saturday, Oct. 22.

Nova Scotia has the oldest population in Atlantic Canada, and the third oldest in Canada. The new statistical profile shows that the life expectancy of Nova Scotians has been steadily increasing since 1920. Residents born in 1920 could expect to live to 58 years, compared to 79 years for someone born in 2005.

The report also shows that only about 30 per cent of seniors are living alone. In 2001, 68 per cent of Nova Scotia seniors lived with family -- 62 per cent with a spouse and six per cent with extended family. For the purpose of this report, seniors are defined as anyone 65 years of age or older.

Other highlights include:

• The number of seniors in Nova Scotia is estimated to be 132,600, or 13.9 per cent of the province's population.

• On average, Nova Scotia seniors donated $688 to charity in 2000, considerably more than the average of $488 for all ages.

• Seniors are involved in the care of other seniors. In 2001, three in 20 (17 per cent) seniors provided unpaid care to another senior.

• Although pet ownership declines with age, many Nova Scotia seniors benefitted from this relationship. Slightly under half (48 per cent) of seniors owned a pet in 2000, compared to 65 per cent in the 50-64 age group and 70 per cent of those under 50.

Copies of the report are available by calling toll-free 1-800-670-0065 or on the Seniors' Secretariat website at www.gov.ns.ca/scs .