The Atlantic Seniors Housing Research Alliance

Addendum to Report:

In the province of Newfoundland and Labrador, the population of older people is increasing significantly due to several factors:

1. The declining birth rate means that over time the proportion of the population that is older will increase dramatically;

2. An increase in the life expectancy of older people also contributes to an increase in the elderly population;

3. The lack of opportunity in many rural areas of the province has resulted in an exodus of younger people leaving a higher proportion of older people in rural areas.

The population of older persons in Newfoundland and Labrador has increased faster than in any other province over the past thirty years. In 2006, the population of those over 65 years of age was 29,856 on the Avalon Peninsula and 38,959 in the remainder of the province. This total of 68,000 represents 13.4 percent of a total population of 504,000. There were 180,300 in the 50-plus age group representing 35.1 percent of the population. Further, there were 30,600 in the 75-plus group and 7,000 in the 85-plus group.

By the year 2106, it is projected that over 20 percent will be 65-plus and by 2026, 27 percent will be 65-plus with 12 percent 75-plus. This increase in the population of older citizens brings additional challenges for governments and social agencies, challenges in the provision of health care, housing, and transportation to name a few. Are we planning now to meet those challenges or will we rely on ad-hoc remedies to meet a crisis situation down the road?

It also would be of interest to determine the extent to which there is a movement of older persons from rural to urban areas in the province. Anecdotal evidence suggests that more and more of those who retire from positions in rural areas move to urban areas to be near needed health care and other services. Even those who need long term care often move to wherever such care is available which is more likely an urban rather than rural centre. This has important implications for rural Newfoundland and Labrador but also implications when planning for the housing needs of the elderly. It is not just a question of the appropriate type of housing for seniors but also the location and affordability of such housing.

Dr. Edgar Williams, Chair , St. John’s-Avalon Chapter of CARP

May 31, 2009