According to the Revera Report on Happiness, released just prior to the first annual United Nations International Day of Happiness, the older you are, the happier you are.
Canadian seniors 66 years of age plus are more likely than any other generation to report that ‘aging means you are happier;’ in fact, they are twice as likely as Gen X and Baby Boomers to make the statement.
The report, developed in partnership with the International Federation on Ageing, reveals the majority of seniors, 65 per cent, are happy with their life, and over half, 57%, are optimistic about aging.
Interestingly, optimism further increases as people get older, with 62% of those 75-plus saying they are optimistic about aging. They are also the most likely to say age is just a number (70%) and you never stop living life to the fullest (42%).
And it seems others need to hear this message, specifically Gen Y and Gen X, most of whom report they are not happy with their life right now, nor do they express optimism towards aging.
According to the report, 42% of Canadian seniors 75-plus say the best is yet to come. The top three things they look forward to as they age include: being comfortable in their own skin (68%); being surrounded by friends and family (62%); and having time to do things that are important to them (61%).
In 2012 Revera, in partnership with the International Federation on Ageing, launched Age Is More, which challenges negative attitudes and stereotypes faced by seniors, promotes an age inclusive society and celebrates the ageless spirit of older people.
Canadians are encouraged to visit AgeisMore.com to learn more about ageism and its impact, and get tips on how to be more age inclusive.
