Get ready for the grey tsunami

Of all the social revolutions headed Canada’s way, none will be more profound than the greying of this nation.

With our birth rate in a long decline and life expectancies, happily, on the rise, it was no surprise this year to learn from the 2016 Canadian census that, for the first time in the country’s history, seniors (people aged 65 and older) outnumbered children (age 14 and younger).

It’s like a grey tsunami, and as this trend intensifies, governments at all levels will be pressed as never before to meet the distinct needs of that growing legion of elderly.

This week one city — Waterloo — provided a great example of how to get ready.

City council unanimously approved moving forward with the detailed design for a $26-million expansion of the Waterloo Memorial Recreation Complex, a project largely intended to help seniors stay fit and engaged.

From the perspective of the city’s seniors, the most promising change would be a new, two-storey building for adult recreation.

It’s intended to replace and improve upon two existing seniors’ centres in other parts of the city which are considered outdated and would close.

Meanwhile, the recreation complex would see other seniorfriendly changes that would include more room for another walking concourse and fitness classes. It’s hard to overstate the benefits of the city’s plan. Seniors who exercise and socialize regularly will typically enjoy longer, healthier and happier lives.

Their welfare is reason enough for the city to adopt such a strategy.

But we also know healthier seniors can relieve pressure on government budgets because they need less medical attention and are less likely to require either home care or long-term care.

Investing money now in Waterloo’s seniors can pay dividends when it comes to containing future health-care costs.

It’s also a fair use of municipal tax dollars considering that Waterloo generously funds public rinks and pools that are heavily used by children and teens.

It’s no accident that this progressive plan for seniors is happening in Waterloo.

The city has fewer children than in 2001. Soon it will likely have more seniors than youngsters.

The city has long been aware of these changes, and that’s why in 2015 it approved a new recreation strategy for older adults.

While it will be up to the city council voted in after the 2018 municipal elections to give the final go-ahead for the rec centre, it’s hard to see the politicians saying no.

The city is doing the right thing for its seniors. Other local municipalities should be aware of what’s happening in Waterloo and ask themselves if they’re ready for the greying of the nation.

While seniors account for 17 per cent of the population today, that figure is expected to rise to 23 per cent by 2031.

Cities across Canada have to be ready with better public transit, more accessible public spaces and more help, such as snow removal, for the elderly at home. Better recreation centres are a good start. But they’re just a start.