[2]
The Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI) recently released their report Health Care in Canada, 2011: A Focus on Seniors and Aging
The report discusses how, as the baby boom generation begins to turn 65 this year, the aging of Canada's population will accelerate, and the health care system will need to adapt to meet the future needs of a growing senior population. The report shows that, while Canada's seniors (age 65 and older) are living longer and are healthier than ever, they are frequent users of the health system, costing more than any other segment of the population. Representing just 14% of the population, seniors use 40% of hospital services in Canada and account for about 45% of all provincial and territorial government health spending.
The differences between women and men are striking. As the report notes, "Most seniors are women, especially among the older age groups. For example, women accounted for 52% of seniors age 65 to 74 and 60% of seniors age 75 and older in 2010. Women will continue to outnumber men into the future; however, this gender split will become more even as the age gap in life expectancy narrows for men and women."
Download Health Care in Canada, 2011: A Focus on Seniors and Aging [3]