October 16, 2014
Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island
Employment and Social Development Canada
Federal, Provincial and Territorial (F/P/T) Ministers Responsible for Seniors met this week in Charlottetown to review recent collaborative work and discuss ways to further support the well-being of seniors living in Canada.
F/P/T Ministers Responsible for Seniors recognized the valuable contribution that seniors make to Canadian society. They agreed that all governments have a role to play to ensure that seniors are supported and their contributions are respected.
F/P/T Ministers Responsible for Seniors were pleased to approve several resources to support planning for aging in place. These include the first in a series of videos, a fact sheet and a comprehensive self-assessment checklist, that will raise awareness and encourage seniors and near-seniors to consider the importance of planning for aging in place in their home or community. These resources will be made public and distributed by provinces and territories at their discretion. Ministers were also pleased to discuss the progress being made to raise awareness among employers and key stakeholders of the benefits of supporting older workers who are balancing work and caregiving responsibilities, including best practices/models of creating caregiver-friendly workplaces.
During the meeting, Ministers directed that work immediately take place on two priority areas: explore ways to increase caregiver readiness for current and future Canadian caregivers; and share promising approaches that lead to innovative solutions to address social isolation among seniors, including those living in rural and remote communities.
Québec contributes to the F/P/T Seniors Forum by sharing expertise, information and best practices. However, it does not subscribe to, nor participate in, federal /provincial/territorial approaches in the area of seniors. The Québec government intends to continue to fulfill its responsibilities to seniors in Québec.
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Earl Maynard
Office of the Minister of State (Seniors)
819-953-1144
Media Relations Office
Employment and Social Development Canada
819-994-5559
media@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca
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Jean Doherty,
Communications, Prince Edward Island
jmdoherty@gov.pe.ca
902-314-5702
