To improve the quality of our work and make it most relevant to those affected by aging in place, we held engagement sessions with community groups, policy-makers, and jurisdictional decision-makers. The goal of these dialogue sessions was to:
- better understand the diverse perspectives and lived experience of older adults and caregivers
- understand the policy, funding, and systemic challenges that influence aging in place strategies
- validate our approach to our aging in place work and obtain input to ensure that our evidence product is relevant and meets health system needs.
These sessions, along with the evidence report, informed the guidance delivered by our Health Technology Expert Review Panel on strategies to support aging in place.
Themes
Common themes that were discussed in these sessions include:
- challenges addressing health needs that could not be safely managed in the home or community
- affordability
- caregiver burden
- difficulties accessing or navigating resources
- managing transitions in care.