Staying in your home, with right supports as you age, is one of the fastest growing senior living choices in Canada today. In fact, it is the preferred choice for 93% of Canadian seniors, and has become an increasingly important option as people are discharged from hospitals more quickly than ever before, and the shortage of assisted living units and long term care beds in BC and across Canada increases. In this article I'll give you some Canadian background on this senior living choice, known as Aging at Home, introduce you to the value and cost of this option, and tell you how you can decide if it's right for you.
Over the last 15 - 20 years a lot of research has taken place in Canada and around the world regarding aging, but the common understanding still seems to be that we will all eventually move out of our homes as we become older. However, a 2012 analysis by Stats Can reports that most of us live at home lifelong, and recent research tells us that those of us who do live at home enjoy the highest quality of life, independence, and self-efficacy of all aging Canadians.
From a provincial health care policy perspective by the year 2038, only 21 years from now, about the time I will need to implement my own Aging at Home Plan, CMHC projects there will be over 5000 too few assisted living units and residential care beds in BC. Policy makers across Canada are saying we have to develop alternatives, and they've also told us that, while increasing the number of units and beds is important, Aging at Home is the most preferred living option by aging Canadians.
Did you know that 1 in 5 seniors in Canada move into residential settings before they need to? A search of medical records determined, in 2013, that these seniors would likely have experienced less depression, received fewer medications leading to fewer falls, and cost the health care system far less, had Aging at Home services been provided. Other research has found that Aging at Home safely helps slow physical and cognitive decline, reduces the likelihood of depression and mood disorders, and extends retirement savings, so the benefits of Aging at Home are apparent: it keeps us healthier, it keeps us happier, and it costs less than other options, because we can customize supports as we need to. Aging at Home Specialists focus on helping you maximize your quality of life while minimizing changes to your lifestyle. Let’s look at this in more detail.
The Canadian Medical Association recommends, in a 2013 report, that good nutrition, safe physical activity, reduced risk of falls, and social connection are keys to healthy aging. Similarly, a 2008 Canadian study found that appropriate support, from someone you’ve grown to trust, slows cognitive decline in the case of dementia, delays the progression of physical disability, positively impacts mental well-being, and increases longevity. As we age in our homes and keep doing the things we’ve always done, even when we need support, we continue to stay active. When an Aging at Home Specialist helps us get more exercise safely we maintain, and sometimes increase, our strength, balance, and endurance. Even when some dementia is present, Aging at Home can still be the best option, as studies have shown that the rate of decline in seniors with dementia who live in familiar surroundings is slower than that of those who are moved into care.
One of the urban myths of growing older in Canada is that depression is inevitable. It doesn’t have to be that way. A 2008 Canadian study found 10-15% of seniors reported depression, with even higher rates for those living in long-term care facilities. We also know from research that depression is associated with reduced physical activity and social isolation. And while some people might prefer to move into an assisted living community in order to dance the night away, those of us who don’t like dancing can now consider continuing to live at home and meet our social and emotional needs in that setting. Small modifications can lead to greater independence.
Assisted living communities provide a basic level of care, then add more care as you need it, up to and including moving to long term care. In BC this care model costs between $2,000 - $6,000 per month, depending upon your level of care needs and the type of facility you choose. However, since COVID-19, we can expect the price to increase as wages of Care Workers will need to increase. In comparison, Aging at Home can also provide you with the care you want now, and more care as you need it, but you choose the type of care. You don’t pay for meal preparation and housekeeping services if those are things you love to do. Perhaps you would rather have specialized kitchen equipment that can help you continue to cook for the love of it. Perhaps you’d like to have adaptive cleaning equipment that allows you to keep your home as clean and tidy as you’ve been accustomed to. When you choose to stay in your home as you age, you can make these decisions.
BC Housing has a program where you could be eligible for an Occupational Therapist to recommend and sign off on upgrades to your home. You might be eligible for a $250 rebate when you access help from an Occupational Therapist to sort out the best adaptations to suit your needs. To be eligible for this program, you must be a resident of BC with limited income and assets, and you, or someone in your household must have a permanent disability or loss of ability. Visit the BC Housing website to find out more about the Accessible Home Adaptations Program. Below are a few PDF documents with some more information on how to register.
BC RAHA Homeowners Application
BC RAHA Maximum Rebate Schedule
BC RAHA Tips on finding an occupational therapist
Do you enjoy your home and community? If so, Aging at Home might be the right option for you. However, is the support you need available and feasible? An in-home assessment by an Aging at Home Specialist can help you and your family decide. Aging at Home Specialists assess your activities of daily living (ADLs), your health status, and your home, to determine if Aging at Home is right for you and, if so, what services you might need to stay safe. While caregivers can help you with meals and housekeeping, Occupational Therapists can recommend home adaptations such as stair glides, ramps, and walk in baths, and Kinesiologists can help you exercise gently and safely. In the case of dementia, Occupational Therapists can design environmental modifications, and Clinical Counsellors can support you and your caregivers manage the distress that can come with cognitive decline. Talk to your family today about Aging at Home as your preferred living choice.
Don't move out of your home until your check to see if Aging at Home is right for you. To learn more in a free consultation, to book an Aging at Home assessment, or to have us help you create an Aging at Home Plan call us at 250-314-0377 x213 or email Inquiries@SeasonsHealth.ca.
If you are looking for renovation services to support your Aging at Home, Aging in Place Home Solutions is a Kamloops Company.