Question Period Note: AGE WELL AT HOME

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

• The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the desire of Canadian seniors to stay in their own homes and communities as long as possible. Sadly, many vulnerable seniors do not have all the supports they need in order to live independently.
• This is why the Government of Canada is committing $90 million over three years to a new initiative, Age Well at Home.
• Age Well at Home will provide funding opportunities for seniors-serving organizations so that they offer practical supports such as meals, housekeeping, and yard work to vulnerable seniors in their communities.
• 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 will mobilize seniors-serving organizations and recognize the importance of seniors being able to age in place.

The new Age Well at Home initiative will advance the government’s commitment to help seniors age in place. It will provide funding to local seniors-serving organizations to provide practical supports to help vulnerable seniors stay at home longer. Practical supports include things like meals, housekeeping, yard work and transportation. Funded organizations will consider frailty and income, among other factors, in assessing need for practical supports.
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 community-based organizations delivering practical supports to seniors.
Age Well at Home will complement PT efforts to help seniors by mobilizing community 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. Funding opportunities will be made available to seniors-serving organizations through competitive processes.

• The concentration of COVID-19 cases and deaths in long-term care homes in many communities across the country has intensified Canadians’ desire to age at home. A survey conducted in June 2020 found that about 70% of Canadian respondents aged 65 and older have changed their opinions about whether they would arrange for themselves or a loved one to enter long-term care. Almost 100% of those surveyed report wanting to support themselves to live safely and independently in their own home as long as possible. (Survey by National Institute on Aging and the Canadian Medical Assn.)