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Poverty reduction

Older adults often live on fixed incomes, which can be a significant challenge, particularly when faced with increases in the cost of living, or with other unexpected costs like auto repairs. These financial pressures may be alleviated through various government programs. Read more in our resources below about how we can strengthen financial supports for current and future older adults to reduce the risk of living in poverty.

How do we measure poverty?
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Fiscal measures to support older adults and reduce poverty
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Taking action together to address homelessness
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  • Evidence Summary

    Financial education may have a positive impact on savings behaviours and record keeping

    Rating 3 out of 5 stars
    Policy Research Working Paper (2014)
  • Evidence Summary

    Several measures should be used to have a clear picture of poverty in old age, including income, consumption, assets, wealth, and self-perceived poverty

    Rating 2 out of 5 stars
    Cogent Social Sciences (2018)
  • Evidence Summary

    ‘Urban renaissance’ policies may negatively affect low-income residents, including older adults, living in urban areas

    Rating 2 out of 5 stars
    European Journal of Housing Policy (2004)
  • Evidence Summary

    Tenants' protection, controlling ownership and development, and community empowerment can help to mitigate displacement due to the gentrification of neighbourhoods

    Rating 1 out of 5 stars
    Geography Compass (2018)
  • Blog Post

    Building financial stability and well-being: Making the most of tax season

    During tax season, older adults should review finances, access available resources, and plan for the future to ensure financial stability and well-being. Utilize tools like the Benefits Finder, consider future needs, and create a budget that aligns your needs and financial circumstances.
  • Blog Post

    Combining health and financial well-being

    Health care insurance plans can vary across the country, and in some cases you may need to have a private insurance or pay out-of-pocket expenses to obtain certain services. Considering the financial insecurity that affects many individuals, how can financial literacy help plan, select and manage health expenses?
  • Blog Post

    From homelessness to stability: The types of accommodation that make a difference

    Access to safe, stable and adequate housing is recognized as a fundamental human right and is essential to create the conditions for people to live healthy, safe and happy lives. However, a growing number of people are experiencing homelessness.
  • Blog Post

    Cryptocurrencies and addiction: be cautious

    It is estimated that 425 million people around the world owns cryptocurrencies (also known as digital or virtual currencies). There appears to be a relationship between trading in high-risk cryptocurrencies or stocks and compulsive gambling. Learn more about cryptocurrencies and their associated health risks.
  • Blog Post

    Putting an end to food waste: for your wallet and our planet

    About one third of the food produced in the world is wasted each year. What can explain food waste and what can we do to prevent it?
  • Blog Post

    Maximizing the impact of your donations

    Some of us give spontaneously to organizations that are important to us. Others take a more analytical approach to identify organizations that are using effective interventions (based on the best available evidence) to maximize the impact of their donations. This analytical approach is called "effective altruism".
  • Blog Post

    Homelessness: Breaking the cycle

    In Canada, nearly 25% of those sleeping in homeless shelters are 50 years of age or older. And this phenomenon is accelerating...
  • Blog Post

    Financial capability: So important, but still a lot of evidence gaps

    There is still limited evidence on the effectiveness of financial capability interventions, but don't let that stop you from taking control of your nest egg!
  • Blog Post

    Case management to help end homelessness

    Supporting people who are homeless or who are precariously housed remains a complex issue, even more so in the context of a pandemic. Various support strategies could be put in place, including the use of case managers.
  • Blog Post

    There can’t be too many cooks: Kitchen collectives to feed your needs

    Most Canadians eat out once a week or more, because it is more convenient, they don't have time, don't like to, or don't know how to cook. Some initiatives, such as collective kitchens, have been launched here and abroad to meet the nutritional, economical and social needs of people in the community.
  • Blog Post

    Managed alcohol programs: Helping chronic alcoholics with regular doses of alcohol

    The harmful use of alcohol resulted in approximately three million deaths worldwide in 2016. Managed alcohol programs are a promising harm-reduction approach for people living with severe alcohol dependence who often experience homelessness or housing instability.
  • Blog Post

    Taking action together to address homelessness

    Older adults are at increasing risk of homelessness due to lack of support, precarious health, economic and housing situations, and a lack of age-appropriate programs and services. We can collectively take action and leverage the assets of our health and social systems to address homelessness.
  • Blog Post

    Fiscal measures to support older adults and reduce poverty

    Fiscal measures are often proposed to reduce the tax burden of older adults and reduce poverty. Finding the fiscal measures to which you are entitled can make anybody feel dizzy, but some professionals and tools can help you.
  • Blog Post

    A socially acceptable gentrification: is it possible?

    Gentrification can exacerbate health problems among vulnerable groups, such as older adults, by limiting their access to needed services, affecting their social networks, and increasing their level of stress. Is it possible to control the negative impacts of gentrification and make it socially acceptable?
  • Blog Post

    How do we measure poverty?

    Measuring poverty is complex because indicators currently used have limitations. In addition to income and market-basket indicators, indicators based on the level of education, health status, geographic region, clothing, housing, food security and social inclusion provide a portrait of poverty closer to reality.
  • Blog Post

    Gentrification: When neighbourhoods change, lives change

    Sometimes central and disadvantaged neighbourhoods experience major changes, referred to as gentrification. Neighbourhood gentrification can have a significant impact on older adults who often have low and fixed incomes.
  • Blog Post

    A nest egg for our old days: Helping older adults manage their finances

    Older adults and their caregivers face a budgetary puzzle – making a realistic budget based on fixed and limited incomes - while juggling many priority expenses. Develop your knowledge, skills and self-confidence to make responsible financial decisions.
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