News release

For immediate release
Sept. 22, 2009

Senator Sharon Carstairs addresses challenges facing Canada’s aging population at Mount Royal University

(CALGARY – Sept. 22, 2009) Mount Royal University’s School of Nursing invites you to meet the Chair of the Special Senate Committee on Aging, Senator Sharon Carstairs. The Senator will be presenting a Senate report to students and faculty entitled, Canada’s Aging Population: “Seizing the Opportunity,” on Fri., Sept. 25, 2009 from 9 to 11 a.m. in Mount Royal’s Wright Theatre.

The report shows that Canada needs to do more to assist its current aging population and to address the issues of future seniors. Senator Carstairs is visiting Mount Royal to show the government’s support for education and outreach campaigns promoting geriatric and gerontological health care professions as career choices.

“Seniors are a rich and vibrant part of our country and are entitled to services and supports which allow them to live with dignity and good health. Yet, it is clear that there are some serious gaps to be addressed in health care, housing, transportation and support systems among other issues,” says Senator Sharon Carstairs.

“Some seniors are being denied their rights. We need to create conditions so that Canada’s aging population will have access to services that will give them choices as they age. We have to reorganize ourselves in ways that transcend jurisdictional issues and focus on the needs of our citizens at different stages in their lives.”

Mount Royal University’s Bachelor of Nursing program is one of the few degree programs that have a mandatory Gerontological Nursing component, called Senior’s Health.

For more information about Mount Royal University’s School of Nursing programs, please visit: www.mtroyal.ca/nursing

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Media contact:
Fred Cheney, Media Relations Officer
Office of External Relations
Office: 403.440.5195
Cell: 403.542.7904
mediarelations@mtroyal.ca