A role for the federal government is bringing that flexibility to employers in all regions. Rural regions are probably the worst off in our long-term care sector. If you want to see an older workforce, go into those areas. One reason is because they are so committed to their community they simply can't leave, and that's where you see the 70-year-olds. I don't know about 80-year-olds. But it is about the mentoring. It's about valuing your experience. It's the same for any of us. If tomorrow your employer says you're done, “Too bad what you gave to the system for 30 years, you're done”, that's a shame. But if there's a way to merge between retirement and giving back to your profession or your employer, that's where it will be of benefit.
I know we are not here to discuss societal problems, but it is a reality that today's 60-year-olds are yesterday's 40-year-olds. It's not as if they all feel like they are 18 years old now. Your body makes you realize that you have to slow down in your hours of work. You still have to exercise and sleep more, so you are not that 18-year-old or 25-year-old; you are simply a lucky and healthy 60-year-old who will work longer if you take care of yourself. Taking care of yourself is making sure you have a healthy work environment. That's for everyone, and for nurses even more so, because it is heavy, it's 24/7, and you're dealing with patients.
When I work as a nurse, I don't deal with reports. I cannot say, okay, if nobody shows up for the committee, we'll close early. It's a patient lying in a bed, as you would know as a surgeon, so it's very important to look at.
So yes, it's mentoring, it's part-time jobs, and of course you have to look at people's pensions and how that's related, but that's almost an employee to employer issue, and they're very well protected in nursing.