The committee is chaired by Sharon Carstairs (Manitoba).

The federal Senate Special Senate Committee on Aging has released its second interim report outlining 84 options to improve the situation for seniors of today and of the future.

The report, titled Issues and Options for an Aging Population, was released March 11. Copies can be found at senate-senat.ca/age.asp.

The report focuses on active aging; older workers, retirement and income security; healthy aging; supports to aging in place of choice; and the regional distribution of health costs associated with aging.

Options include:

1 - Provide tax credits for volunteerism

15 - Promote the development of alternatives to chronological age as indicators of competency

34 - Establish a national comprehensive publicly insured or publicly/privately insured prescription plan

42 - Implement a national funded partnership on palliative care

58 - Encourage the provinces and territories to make reciprocal arrangements to eliminate the waiting period for residents from another province

62 - Create a registered chronic-care savings plan

66 - Provide financial support to caregivers.