Risk Factors to Aging at Home

Studies show that a number of senior groups may face barriers that make safely aging at home more challenging. 

Seniors living in rural settings may have issues accessing the supports and services they need to thrive, particularly if/when they stop driving if there are limited transportation options.(1) 

Seniors who have immigrated in the last 20 years, and those with a first language other than English, are also at risk, according to studies, as this demographic self-reports worse health than adults born in Canada, while facing increased barriers to accessing supports,(3) particularly culturally-relevant ones. 

“The chance that you're going to get a government-funded homecare worker who speaks the same language as you, or has the same cultural background or level of cultural competency, for example, may be more challenging for people from specific ethnocultural communities,” says Dr. Sinha.

If adults don’t have family members who are willing or able to help them with day-to-day tasks, they may find themselves entirely reliant on Home and Community Care (HCC) services, however not all of these are covered by public funding, and the majority of Canadians on a pension may not be financially equipped to cover the cost – which could approach $25,000 each month for seniors with complex needs.(1) 

How to Make Aging at Home More Feasible

Studies suggest that a more interconnected approach to needs could help make care services more flexible, proactive and individualized to patients,(2) and could even help anticipate future care needs.(2) Researchers believe that this could function like a collaborative, interprofessional team, made up of a combination of roles across the healthcare system, like a family physician, community care aid, occupational therapist, and volunteers.(4) 

This could also help to ensure that seniors at risk, including diverse demographics,(3) know about available HCC supports, including supports that are culturally appropriate. 

The NIA advises that integrating more preventative and reablement services into HCC could further help adults safely age in place. “Things that help combat social isolation to help reduce the risk of dementia and depression, for example, or supports that can help a person stay on track with their medication management can help them better manage their chronic diseases,” says Dr. Sinha. “[By] helping older adults either learn new skills or relearn skills that they had before, we can prevent additional injuries like falls in the home,” adds Iciaszczyk. 

Having a full picture of one’s needs and the supports that are available, can also help seniors recognize when their home is no longer the best place for them. “It's about honouring people, helping people stay healthy and independent, allowing people to age as independently as possible, but also making sure it's the right place for them,” says Dr. Sinha, “We need to think about people’s circumstances, the resources, and a number of different things that allow us to figure out, ‘What is the right place for this person moving forward, and how do we help them attain that?’”

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