This past May, it was reported that Canada’s 2016 census revealed that there are more seniors in Canada than there are children. As explained by Bruce Campion-Smith of the Ottawa Bureau on TheStar.com, this is the first time in history that the percentage of senior citizens in Canada’s population (16.9 percent) has exceeded the share of children in our nation (16.6 percent).
“The increase in the proportion of seniors between 2011 and 2016up from 14.8 per cent is the largest since 1871,” details Campion-Smith, citing findings by Statistics Canada. This trend suggests that Canada should place an even greater focus on senior care. Needless to say, implementing measures to ensure the safety and well-being of our elderly loved ones is only getting more important.
The importance of making aging at home commonplace in Canada.
This is especially true considering that aging at home is something that many people aspire to do. It’s not hard to understand that those who have reached their later years in life would like to enjoy them as much as possible. And that means being surrounded by family members in the comforts of their own homes. Of course, with aging come a lot of health issues that may prevent one from living safely at home.
One of the ways to fix this is to have more professional caregivers. In her article covering the 2016 census findings, Antonella Artuso of The Toronto Sun reveals that 70 percent of the in-home care given to Canadian seniors is provided by family caregivers. “Home care works because of the care that family members provide,” says John Hirdes, who is a professor at the School of Public Health and Health Systems at the University of Waterloo, “Only 30% of the care people get actually comes from the formal home care system.”
More professional in-home care for Canadian seniors is needed.
Adult children often find it difficult to care for their aging parents since so many of them have careers and children to raise. Not to mention, many of the medical issues faced by members of our elderly population require professional medical help. “According to a September 2016 report by the Canadian Medical Association, which represents the country’s doctors, officials expect the aging population will lead to a 40% increase in cancer cases by 2030 and a 66% increase in the number of Canadians living with dementia in the next 15 years,” reports Artuso.
What solutions can help more of Canada’s seniors to safely age at home?
At Advantage Home Health Solutions, we wholeheartedly believe in offering seniors mobility solutions and accessibility options that transition their homes into safe and secure places to live. Our solutions provide necessary modifications to bedrooms and bathrooms to help prevent slips and falls. We also offer stair lifts that help to restore independence to those who would otherwise need assistance to climb up and down stairs. In some cases, certain levels of the home aren’t accessible due to mobility issues. We don’t believe this should ever be the case.
We’re only scratching the surface here. If you have any questions about the mobility devices and home accessibility options that Advantage Home Health Solutions has to offer, please don’t hesitate to contact us to ask them. Give us a call at 403-460-5438. You may also email us by filling out the form on our Contact Us page!
