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Halton Region serious about its older adult population by Ian Holroyd Oakville Beaver Staff 5 | Friday, May 1, 2015 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com Halton Region now has a plan to respond to growing pressures of an aging population. The Region's Health and Social Services Committee heard April 21 that the implementation of a Halton Older Adult Plan is becoming more essential every year. That's where the plan -- adopted by regional council this week -- was presented. "Halton is experiencing a number of changes in our population that's resulting in tremendous growth of our older adult population," said Halton's Medical Officer of Health Hamidah Meghani. Three factors that add to the region's aging population include the aging of existing baby boomers, the increased life expectancy of older adults and the provincial mandate to grow Halton's population. The large cohort of children born after the Second World War is getting older. Meghani said those people are moving into their 60s putting the pinch on local services. According to Meghani, the region's older adults are also living longer. In the last 30 years, the average life expectancy at the age of 65 has increased by three years. Now, a male who reaches the age of 65 may live on average until he is 84. Projections suggest 20 years from now, that same male could live to 87. "We must respond to the challenges created by this achievement, including the growing burden of chronic illnesses, injuries and disabilities and increasing concerns about future care giving, healthcare costs and housing," said Meghani. Further pressures facing the region include the provincial government's Places to Grow Act. Over the next two decades, Halton is mandated to grow to a population of 780,000 people. Halton is experiencing a number of changes in our population that's resulting in tremendous growth of our older adult population. We must respond to the challenges created by this achievement, including the growing burden of chronic illnesses, injuries and disabilities and increasing concerns about future care giving, healthcare costs and housing. Hamidah Meghani impacted by older adults moving into the community," she said. "The growth in older adults in all of our communities means that Halton needs a plan," she added. The Halton Older Adult Plan has pinpointed six priorities, 14 objectives and 46 actions to enhance the quality of life for older adults in the community. The plan's six priorities include considering older adults when developing policies, optimizing engagement with older adults, enhancing "age friendly" environments, supporting opportunities for older adults, encouraging older adults to be active and supporting them to maintain their independence. Meghani said the region will focus on serving older residents by implementing corporate training, customer service and enhancing connections with that segment of the population. Once regional council has approved the plan, staff will begin work on the finer details of the Halton Older Adult Plan. The next Halton Regional Council meeting takes place Wednesday, April 29 at 9:30 a.m. at Halton Regional Centre, 1151 Bronte Rd., Oakville. Halton's Medical Officer of Health A STEP BEYOND IN CARE Do you have: Salima Kassam Reg. Chiropodist Meghani said by 2031 forecasts predict one in six Halton residents will be over the age of 65, growing from 67,000 older adults today to 130,000 in 2031. Under the Places to Grow Act, Meghani pointed out the population will grow not only in number but also diversity. "There will be differences in income, education, literacy and ethnicity in culture to name a few of the social determinants of health," she said. Meghani said each municipality will be affected differently by this demographics shift because older adults are distributed among the population unevenly. Right now, 45 per cent of Halton's older adults live in Burlington with a little more than 10 per cent residing in Milton. "While Burlington will be impacted by the aging population that already live there, communities like Milton will be · Foot/Arch Pain? · Ingrown Toenails? · Diabetes? · Swollen Ankles? · Corns, Calluses? 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