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Two barriers to aging in place and how to overcome them

If you ask most seniors living in Toronto, they want to age in place. According to a national survey conducted by the March of Dimes, which found more than three-quarters (78 percent) of Canadians want to stay in their current homes as they grow older.

Unfortunately, few Canadians predict they’ll be able to make their wishes a reality. Just 26 percent expect they will be able to age in place. For the overwhelming majority, some barriers stand in their way.

Here are two of the biggest ones below.

Table of Contents

1. Health

A senior’s declining health is one of the biggest barriers to carrying out a life of independence at home. Chronic health issues, mobility limitations, and illnesses can make aging in place challenging.

Depending on the health issue, some seniors may not have the physical or cognitive abilities to care for themselves. As a result, they or their loved ones may feel as though moving into a long-term care facility is the only way to get the medical care they need.

Luckily, at-home care agencies in Toronto offer an option for people who don’t want to move to an unfamiliar facility in their golden years. These agencies bring medical professionals to your home, so you can get the right level of care without leaving a familiar place.

The best home care services Toronto has to offer foster independence and joyful living, regardless of a senior’s medical needs. They do this by matching seniors with compassionate health care professionals who provide tailored assistance as their needs evolve.

If you receive home care in Toronto, you can receive help from a variety of health care professionals, including Registered Nurses, Registered Practical Nurses, Personal Support Workers, and Live-In Caregivers.

2. Isolation

Isolation is another common barrier to aging in place for a variety of reasons:

Kids grow up and fly the coop, sometimes putting down roots in another province.
As people age, life-long relationships end as partners and friends pass away.
Seniors may also deal with mobility issues that make it hard to leave their house.
Cognitive decline, hearing loss, and other health concerns can make it hard to socialize.
They may be housebound if they don’t have a car.

According to the CDC, roughly one-quarter of adults aged 65 and older are socially isolated. The CDC also links loneliness and social isolation to a higher risk of significant health issues, including heart disease, stroke, dementia, depression, and anxiety.

Luckily, a city like Toronto makes it easier for seniors to fight against isolation with a world-renowned transit system that offers Wheel-Trans, a service for people with disabilities to travel with freedom and dignity.

Several non-profit and private services provide rides to and from locations for seniors. You can arrange for transportation to explore the city’s many senior clubs, associations, and classes to meet new friends.

On top of that, the best home care services Toronto has to offer are committed to providing meaningful companionship for all their clients. You can match with a PSW who keeps you company, accompanies you to your medical appointments, and assists you with chores.

Bottom Line

While aging in place may seem daunting, the usual barriers may not be the impediments you think they are. With at-home care services and community support, you don’t have to move to a strange facility. You can feel safe and happy to grow old in a familiar place.

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