Helping the aged at home and abroad
October 1 is the International Day of Older Persons. Today, as the number of persons aged 60 and older explodes, my thoughts turn to our elders in need.
Though I post often on the alluring baubles of the marketplace, I'm more gratified by giving to a charity I can trust than in getting more stuff. These statistics about Canadian seniors, from Help the Aged Canada, helped me to select our most recent cause.
"Among seniors, women are more than twice as likely as men to have low incomes. In 1997, 24% of all women aged 65 and over lived in poverty, compared with 12% of men aged 65 and over. Unattached seniors are far more likely to be poor than those who live in families. In 1997, 45% of all unattached individuals aged 65 and over were considered poor, compared with only 6% of seniors that lived with either their spouse or other immediate family members. Moreover, among seniors who live alone, women are considerably more likely than men to have low incomes. In 1997, almost half of these women (49%) had low incomes, compared with 33% of men."
Those 1997 stats probably have not improved for Canadian women given the decline in retirement savings rates and the damage done in the latest downturn to savings, if these women had any.
Help the Aged Canada funds many programs both within my count
ry and the developing world. We joined their Adopt-a-Gran program, which insures that an elderly man or woman receives medical attention, shelter and the necessities for a dignified life for $27 each month. Our Gran is Haitian, but Grans are from many other countries, too.
I can also contribute to Canadian programs, even local initiatives like Meals on Wheels and drop-in centres. The site features an entire section dedicated to grandmothers of African kids who've lost parents to AIDS.
Ever since I read Betty Jean Wylie and Jean Macfarlane's "Everywoman's Money Book" over 20 years ago, I have been concerned with women's financial life as they aged. I was moved to give to Help the Aged after seeing the inestimable Flora MacDonald, former Member of Parliament and international humanitarian, speak about their projects. And I liked being able to contribute to global and local causes through one efficient organization.
There are so many good causes. How do you decide your giving? What moves you to send money or volunteer?
Though I post often on the alluring baubles of the marketplace, I'm more gratified by giving to a charity I can trust than in getting more stuff. These statistics about Canadian seniors, from Help the Aged Canada, helped me to select our most recent cause.
"Among seniors, women are more than twice as likely as men to have low incomes. In 1997, 24% of all women aged 65 and over lived in poverty, compared with 12% of men aged 65 and over. Unattached seniors are far more likely to be poor than those who live in families. In 1997, 45% of all unattached individuals aged 65 and over were considered poor, compared with only 6% of seniors that lived with either their spouse or other immediate family members. Moreover, among seniors who live alone, women are considerably more likely than men to have low incomes. In 1997, almost half of these women (49%) had low incomes, compared with 33% of men."
Those 1997 stats probably have not improved for Canadian women given the decline in retirement savings rates and the damage done in the latest downturn to savings, if these women had any.
Help the Aged Canada funds many programs both within my count
ry and the developing world. We joined their Adopt-a-Gran program, which insures that an elderly man or woman receives medical attention, shelter and the necessities for a dignified life for $27 each month. Our Gran is Haitian, but Grans are from many other countries, too.I can also contribute to Canadian programs, even local initiatives like Meals on Wheels and drop-in centres. The site features an entire section dedicated to grandmothers of African kids who've lost parents to AIDS.
Ever since I read Betty Jean Wylie and Jean Macfarlane's "Everywoman's Money Book" over 20 years ago, I have been concerned with women's financial life as they aged. I was moved to give to Help the Aged after seeing the inestimable Flora MacDonald, former Member of Parliament and international humanitarian, speak about their projects. And I liked being able to contribute to global and local causes through one efficient organization.
There are so many good causes. How do you decide your giving? What moves you to send money or volunteer?
Comments
Tiffany: We give to Plan and Kiva too- so we have a lot in common.
So, this year I've given to the Nature Conservancy of Canada; a nursing home that cares for people with Alzheimers; helped buy a furnace for a school that takes "first nation" kids who've been kicked out of mainstream schools; a variety of Salvation Army food banks and produce box programs; the Scott Mission; etc.
I give a minimum of 10% of my post-tax income but try to give more when times are especially good for me or especially bad for others (eg. this year, when the economy has given a drubbing to many).
This article influenced my giving philosophy:
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/17/magazine/17charity.t.html
Anonymous @5 a.m.: I'm glad that your family can help. Giving does not have to be money, It can be as simple as being a good neighbour or volunteering your time (to the extent that your health allows)- anything that strengthens a community.
My husband and I, though we don't attend a church any longer, have kept the habit of giving a certain percentage of our income. I allow myself to follow my heart first, and then check in with my head to see if organizations I've chosen this way are financially fit.