Aging in place is the ability of older adults to access the health and social supports they need to live safely in their own homes or communities for as long as they wish and are able.
What Are the Challenges Associated With Aging in Place?
Canada, like many countries, is experiencing an important demographic transition toward an aging population. By 2040, one-quarter of people in Canada will be older adults, with the number of those aged 85 and older expected to triple to more than 2 million by 2050. There remains a strong preference by older adults to live in their home or community for as long as possible, while an estimated 7.9% of older people in Canada are living in long-term care facilities.
At the same time, health care systems in Canada are facing a range of challenges, such as limited availability of, and access to, long-term care beds and services, staffing shortages, and gaps and disparities in the quality of care, among others.
To address these challenges, jurisdictions in Canada are interested in exploring evidence-based aging in place initiatives to enhance the infrastructure and support systems aimed at allowing older adults to age in place.
What Is Canada’s Drug Agency Doing?
To help decision-makers address these challenges, we published a new evidence report that identified the most relevant reasons why people in Canada are unable to age in place, evidence to assess strategies and initiatives intended to address these hinderances, and systemic considerations related to implementing the solutions. We also highlighted the perspectives of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples and communities.
Later this summer, we will release guidance from a panel of experts to support evidence-informed and equitable aging in place initiatives across Canada.