Ageing in Place

Recent research shows that, if given the choice, many older Canadians would prefer to age in place within their own homes and communities.  A 2022 survey asked older adults in Canada where they would like to live as they age and the responses showed that 71% of older Canadians still living in their own home would like to remain in their current home, while 14% reported that they would like to downsize to a smaller or more manageable home.

Aging in place means having the health and social supports and services you need to live safely and independently in your home or your community for as long as you wish and are able. (Social Development Canada, 2016).  According to the National Institute on Ageing in Canada, supporting older Canadians effectively requires more responsive systems and services that allow for Ageing in the Right Place: “The process of enabling healthy ageing in the most appropriate setting based on an older person’s personal preferences, circumstances and care needs.”

Resources

A lot of factors go into aging in place successfully. They include where your home is and your access to transportation, supports, and services. Here are some resources to learn about aging in the right place for you.

Thinking About Aging in Place – Government of Canada
Thinking about your future? Plan now to Age in Place: A checklist – Government of Canada
Ageing in the Right Place: Supporting Older Canadians to Live Where They Want – National Institute on Ageing
Aging in Place – National Institute for the Care of the Elderly
Promising Practices for Enabling Aging in Place – Health Care Excellence Canada

The Role of Physical Fitness in Aging in Place

Your health is critical for continuing to live independently from day to day and to age in place. Learn more about the role of physical fitness in ‘aging in place’ from our Active Aging Network article on the topic.