The HelpAge Canada Mission is to support community-based initiatives through our partnerships, both locally and abroad, to improve the lives of older persons and their communities. We develop innovative programs and lead network-wide collaborations to create a world for all to age with dignity.
In 1975, a group of volunteers, concerned that no Canadian charitable organization represented the interests and needs of older persons in Canada, came together to found “Help the Aged Canada.” This was the beginning of what is known today as HelpAge Canada, an organization more committed than ever to improving how people age in our country and abroad. In 1983, we joined four other organizations in Colombia, Kenya, India, and the UK to form HelpAge International and create a strong network for supporting older people worldwide. The HelpAge Global Network has since grown steadily, with more than 70 countries partaking in initiatives and concerted action to improve the lives of older people around the world. Our collective voices are heard on the world stage thanks in part to HelpAge International’s consultancy status with the UN and World Health Organization. HelpAge Canada began expanding its team in 2019 to continue our mission of creating a world where all people can age with dignity, increasing our focus on the needs of older Canadians at home. HelpAge Canada has since grown to include nearly a dozen team members. This talented, growing team has equipped HelpAge Canada to build a network of over 350 community-based seniors’ services organizations across Canada – organizations that are vital to meeting the needs of older people in the places they live.