Good morning. Whether you are looking to live happier and healthier, or support an aging loved one, The Globe and Mail’s Aging Well series has something for everyone. That’s in focus today along with tense times in Parliament and merry moments in church. But first:
Today’s headlines
- Canada reports its biggest population decline on record
- Ontario’s family-medicine czar has been on the job for a year. What’s changed?
- In a White House speech, Trump highlights his victories amid sinking approval ratings
- The U.S. is targeting dairy and the Online Streaming Act in USMCA negotiations, Trump’s top trade official says
Fred Soda, 91, recently moved in with his daughter Cathy Soda, 64, in LaSalle, Ont.Dax Melmer/The Globe and Mail
Aging Well
Lessons in longevity
Hi, I’m April Fong, deputy editor of personal finance at The Globe and Mail, where I help lead coverage of the money matters that shape your life.
Have you read the latest groundbreaking book on the art of longevity? Do you find yourself trying to track down the latest superfoods (purple sweet potatoes, anyone?), or love gabbing about the latest “biohacking” podcast with your friends?
As a society, we’re obsessed with living longer. And Canadian lifespans have, in fact, generally been climbing for decades. A McMaster University researcher said in 2018 that by 2050, the average Canadian might expect to live to the age of 90.
But what happens if and when we get there? The reality in the later stages of life is that there are lots of changes and sudden hardships. Health can deteriorate and living arrangements may need to be transformed. Adult children and loved ones abruptly become caregivers. The financial resilience of older Canadians is put to the test, on whether we can actually support the lives we’d envisioned.
Maybe you’ve been diligently planning for retirement. Money might not buy happiness, but a recent Pew Research survey suggests that income can define a person’s aging experience. The study, released in November, found that 61 per cent of upper-income Americans said they’re aging extremely or very well. That compares with 51 per cent of middle-income respondents, and 39 per cent among those with lower incomes.
Carol Ross, at far right, a 75-year-old line dance instructor, leads a full class at the Seniors Drop in Centre in Parksville, B.C., in October.Taylor Roades/The Globe and Mail
That suggests aging well is not just about the quest to unlock ways to live longer. We want to remind readers across the country to think more about the hard things, and how to better prepare for what’s inevitable with growing older.
And so, The Globe’s Personal Finance and Life sections have launched an in-depth series called Aging Well, where we’re exploring the longevity economy.
What conversations do we need to have with our families? What’s the best way to plan for it financially? And how do we make suitable living arrangements for aging parents, or draw out a road map for ourselves? Our mission is to help you live a healthier and happier life as you age, and to provide reliable information about what we can do to support older adults.
Plus, our population as a whole is rapidly aging. With nearly one in five Canadians now over 64, that is creating pressure to find answers to all sorts of questions, faster.
Faune and Kelly George row along the waterfront in Lunenberg, N.S. Rowing in the dory is well known locally for building strength, endurance and character.Aly Ambler/The Globe and Mail
Aging Well launched with a look at two Canadian communities that are studied by researchers because residents regularly live well into their 90s and even past 100. The story, where retirement reporter Meera Raman reported from Lunenburg, N.S., and personal finance reporter Salmaan Farooqui from Parksville, B.C., took stock of what older Canadians and their communities had figured out about aging – and the takeaways for the rest of the country to help it thrive.
The series also has detailed guides by Kira Vermond, designed to help those who want to prepare checklists, conversations and well-laid plans to make arrangements for aging parents who need at-home care or can no longer live at home. We also have practical advice on how to broach the awkward discussion about managing finances.
In our latest Aging Well story today, Meera gives readers an inside look at the true costs of aging at home, both in terms of financial expenses and the toll – and fulfilment – for family caregivers.
And, in the coming weeks, watch out for more stories from the series: The Globe’s generations reporter Ann Hui will dive into personal tales of how families of all shapes and sizes are navigating the complex task of planning for aging. Plus, Brenda Bouw will look at how Canadian retirees are redefining their days and purpose, profiling the best of past Tales from the Golden Age participants.
Living longer is a privilege – and it takes work to do it well. With lessons from those who have been there before, it doesn’t have to feel like stepping into the unknown.
The Shot
‘It’s going to keep moving, like when you watch a late-night chat show.’
Rev. Canon Kristen Pitts’s child joins the clergy at the end of the speedy service at Toronto's St. James Cathedral.Melissa Tait/The Globe and Mail
At St. James Cathedral in downtown Toronto, churchgoers on a tight schedule can enjoy Christmas carols, readings and prayers in a brisk 30 minutes. Read more about Merry Moments and its express service here.
The Wrap
What else we’re following
At home: Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre said Canadians will react badly if another MP joins the Liberals and gives them a majority, because that’s not what they voted for.
Abroad: The surviving suspect in the Bondi Beach shooting was charged with 59 offences, including terrorism and 15 counts of murder.
Elsewhere: Under the threat of a U.S. invasion, Venezuelans try to carry on with their daily lives.
Crime: How a Toronto-area suspected serial killer evaded police for decades despite a violent criminal record.
Online: Oscars to be streamed on YouTube starting in 2029, when the ABC contract expires.