Silver Economy Summit addresses aging gracefully
Posted May 15, 2010 09:37:28 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
The next generation of senior citizens will not be defined by the stereotype of old, frail and alone according to an address at the Silver Economy Summit in Halifax. The Metro Centre was crowded as one of the first summits of its kind in Canada heard discussions regarding our aging population.
Joseph Coughlin, Director of the MIT AgeLab had a message to both seniors and government as more and more people turn enter their gold years.
“Aging is not something to lament. Aging is a great opportunity. Halifax and Nova Scotia should take great pride that this is one of the first conferences in the world to redefine aging as not just an opportunity to improve the quality of life for Nova Scotians, but an economic opportunity for Canada; and indeed, if you get it right, to export to the world,” Coughlin told News 95.7 following his speech.
He says the future of seniors includes going back to school, working part time, being socially connected and enjoying fitness and fun. He’s encouraging government to revisit transportation, health and financial policies with the new face of an older generation in mind.
In the next 20 years the number of seniors in Nova Scotia is expected to double to 250,000.
