Today we celebrate National Seniors Day for 2025!

This is an occasion for all Canadians to join in celebrating older adults and acknowledge their contributions to our families, communities, and society.

Representing a large and growing portion of the population, many seniors contribute on their communities in meaningful and impactful ways. We can all think of a senior who has made a difference in our lives, they have contributed generously, and today is an excellent day to connect with the seniors in our Compassionate Community.

Today is your chance to do something special for the older people in your family, workplace, or community.

Ageism

While today is a time to celebrate those in our lives, it is also a good reminder to assess and acknowledge the presence of Ageism in our society. This socially constructed way of thinking places negative attitudes and stereotypes about aging into how society is structured on the assumption that everyone is young. Ageism is an act of discrimination that is systemic in nature and involves treating young people and older adults in an unequal manner due to age.

Often, due to the systemic nature integrated into societal structures, age discrimination is often not taken as seriously as other forms of discrimination.

To combat ageism, it is important to remember that aging is a natural part of life. It is a highly individual experience and cannot be generalized by the skills and abilities of an older person.

Let’s think about aging in a different way, being aware is the first step toward changing these harmful societal structures.

Discover “Rethink Aging” – a video by Employment and Social Development Canada.