Toronto’s baby boomers are aging and will soon overwhelm our already backlogged city infrastructure, according to a new report released today by Social Planning Toronto. The report reveals a city-wide growth of 40% of seniors aged 60-64 over the last ten years, as well as a striking 53% increase in those over 85 years old.
Meanwhile, the report finds that infrastructure and services like long-term care spaces and recreational programming are not prepared for this historic shift.
“Families and loved ones are feeling the strain of taking care of their ailing parents— especially those coping with complex conditions like Alzheimer’s and dementia”, said Sean Meagher, Executive Director of Social Planning Toronto. “We’re simply not investing enough to take care of our aging seniors”.
The report points to a backlog in long-term care spaces in the city— a problem which will likely get worse as facilities grapple with upgrades, redevelopment, and soaring land prices.
“Over 70% of Toronto’s long-term care spaces are at risk of leaving the city due to important and necessary upgrades and renovations”, said Meagher. “This adding to the struggles that front-line care providers experience trying to keep up with fewer and fewer resources”.
“Toronto’s seniors have helped to build our city— they should be able to stay and enjoy the communities and neighbourhoods they are connected to”, said Meagher. “This data clearly shows we need a comprehensive approach to ageing to ensure seniors are provided the care and dignity they rightly deserve”.
The report, entitled ‘Demographic Change In Toronto’s Neighbourhoods’, is based on the most recent census data and is the first to outline key recent changes in the demographic makeup of Toronto.