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"When it comes down to it, we need to make sure that we're taking care of ourselves, because unless there's big changes, the health-care system won't be able to do it for us," she said. Watts noted the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted how important long-term care, assisted living and care at home is for families and communities. However, wait-lists for long-term care beds scan stretch on for years, leaving seniors stuck in hospitals or families struggling to care for their loved ones at home. More than one in four seniors in the 85-and-older age bracket currently live in a "collective dwelling," such as a seniors' residence, nursing home, long-term care residence or hospital, according to the census.Įxperts say the proportion of elders living in those settings only increases with age, as more than half of centenarians receive care in one of those facilities. "We also don't have seniors as part of things like our national housing strategy, only a little bit about help for rental markets, but nothing about care of seniors," she explained. Without a national strategy, Watts says seniors will have few housing options as they age unless Canada implements more affordable living scenarios for seniors.
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The number of people over 85 more than doubled since the 2001 census, and is expected to triple by 2046, raising questions about who will care for that generation and where they will live. The latest census data from 2021 shows that since 2016, the number of people aged 85 and older grew by 12 per cent, more than twice as much as the overall growth of the Canadian population at 5.2 per cent.
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Experts say more affordable and accessible housing is needed for Canada's aging population with seniors over the age of 85 reported as the fastest-growing age group in the country.