'Younger' older adults feeling unique stresses of pandemic - survey

A new national survey of more than 4,300 Canadians aged 55+ has found that ‘younger’ older adults – those between the ages of 55 and 64 – are experiencing more detrimental effects of the pandemic than those over 65. The same age group is also found to be less likely to follow COVID-19 public health recommendations. The findings are in a report released today looking at the impact of the pandemic on older adults’ daily life. The survey was undertaken by a research team led by Simon Fraser University gerontology professor emeritus Gloria Gutman, as part of a Canadian Frailty Network – Supported iCAN Advance Care Planning study. 

The team’s report found that those in the ‘younger’ older group are more likely to have greater discord at home with negative income challenges, adding that women are taking a ‘harder hit’ in their daily lives. The researchers suggest more attention is needed to address the “unique stressors” experiences by ‘younger’ older adults, including increasing public education efforts and promoting wellness strategies to reduce the health burden of sedimentary behaviour.

Gutman, the SFU’s Gerontology Research Centre’s first director, and has studied aging and seniors for more than three decades. She is currently president of the North American Chapter of International Society for Gerontechnology. 

For more information, visit: https://www.cfn-nce.ca/news/press-release-covid-19-doesnt-care-who-you-are-but-the-pandemic-does/

AVAILABLE SFU EXPERTS

GLORIA GUTMAN, Diversity Access Team Lead, SFU Gerontology Research Centre
604.263.5221| gutman@sfu.ca   

CONTACT

MATT KIELTYKA, SFU Communications & Marketing
236.880.2187 | matt_kieltyka@sfu.ca

Simon Fraser University 
Communications & Marketing | SFU Media Experts Directory 
778.782.3210

ABOUT SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY

As Canada’s engaged university, SFU works with communities, organizations and partners to create, share and embrace knowledge that improves life and generates real change. We deliver a world-class education with lifelong value that shapes change-makers, visionaries and problem-solvers. We connect research and innovation to entrepreneurship and industry to deliver sustainable, relevant solutions to today’s problems. With campuses in British Columbia’s three largest cities—Vancouver, Burnaby and Surrey—SFU has eight faculties that deliver 193 undergraduate degree programs and 127 graduate degree programs to more than 37,000 students. The university now boasts more than 165,000 alumni residing in 143 countries.