How government policy decisions affect seniors' quality of life: Findings from a participatory policy study carried out in Toronto, Canada

Toronto seniors explored how government policy decisions were influencing t heir health and well-being. In this participatory policy study, emphasis wa s upon the lay and critics knowledge of highly informed seniors. Focus grou ps and interviews revealed that all three levels of governments were seen a s not listening to seniors' voices. In nine key policy areas identified as influencing seniors' quality of life - hearing seniors' voices, housing, ac ute illness care, long-term care, income supports, transportation and mobil ity, promoting healthy lifestyles, access to information, and hearing voice s from cultural communities many concerns were raised, The gap between gove rnment rhetoric and government action on seniors' issues merits public heal th attention.