Question Period Note: AGE WELL AT HOME

How will the new Age Well at Home initiative help seniors stay at home longer?

• We know Canadian seniors want to stay in their own homes and communities as long as possible – but many vulnerable seniors do not have all the supports they need in order to live independently.

• This is why the Government of Canada has committed $90 million until March 2025, to the Age Well at Home initiative.

• Age Well at Home will provide funding for seniors-serving organizations to provide volunteer-based practical supports such as meals, housekeeping, and yard work to vulnerable seniors in their communities – to help them stay in their homes and communities as long as possible.

• Funding will also be available for regional and national projects to expand services that have already shown results in helping seniors stay at home.

• This new initiative is underway. Organizations that serve seniors had the opportunity to apply to two funding processes launched in the spring. The project
• proposals that were received are now being reviewed.

The new Age Well at Home initiative will advance the government’s commitment to help seniors age in place.
The In Home Support Pilots Projects stream will provide funding to local seniors-serving organizations to provide volunteer-based practical supports to help low income and otherwise vulnerable seniors stay at home longer. Practical supports include things like meal delivery and/or preparation, light housekeeping, yard work, home maintenance and transportation.
The Scaling up for Seniors stream of this initiative will also support regional and national projects that help expand services that have already demonstrated results in helping seniors stay in their homes. For example, knowledge hubs can help seniors access the local services available to them or provide information, resources, and training to seniors-serving organizations delivering practical supports to seniors.
Age Well at Home will complement PT efforts to help seniors by mobilizing seniors-serving organizations and volunteers. PTs spend most of their home and continuing care dollars on home health and personal care. As part of personal care, they are able to provide limited assistance with meal preparation and light housework. Very few involve volunteers in providing these services. A few jurisdictions provide a limited range of other practical supports such as running errands or yard work. Income-adjusted user fees often apply.
Age Well at Home will be delivered under the policy and program authorities of the New Horizons for Seniors Program. Two Calls for Proposals (CFPs) were open from June 8 to July 22, 2022. The Department is currently screening the applications received. The results of the CFPs will be announced in 2023.

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