Why It Is Important For Seniors To Remain In Their Communities

Survey after survey consistently show that >90% of Canadians wish to remain in their own home and not move into congregate living residences. It can be extremely beneficial for seniors to stay in their communities where they have established social connections and support systems in place. 

Staying in the same community provides a sense of familiarity and comfort as they can continue to go to their hairdresser of 20+ years, shop in familiar shops where they know where to find their favourite foods, and continue to attend services with friends at their local church, synagogue or temple. Having a network of friends and family nearby can help seniors feel less isolated or lonely, which has repeatedly been shown to improve their mental and emotional well-being.

Seniors are also safer ageing at home because they are able to maintain their independence and autonomy in a familiar environment. They are also able to receive care and support from family and caregivers they know and trust. Uprooting a senior from their home can be devastating for them, especially if they're going against their will. It can be an overwhelming loss for many from which they may never recover.

Ageing at home allows seniors to have greater control over their daily routines and activities. Autonomy, or the ability to make one's own decisions and have control over one's own life, is even more important for older adults because it helps them maintain a sense of self-worth, independence and dignity at an age where they may be experiencing a lot of loss--loss of friends, loss of some vision or hearing, and a diminished sense of self worth.

Allowing seniors to make their own choices helps them feel valued and respected. Autonomy also helps older adults to continue to learn and grow as they age. Providing seniors with opportunities to make their own decisions can help them maintain their cognitive and psychological well-being, which is important for maintaining improved mental health.

Being in familiar surroundings also reduces confusion, anxiety and depression. Living in unfamiliar surroundings can be stressful, but far more stressful for seniors. It also helps seniors avoid the increased risk of infection that occurs more frequently in congregate living settings such as Independent and Assisted Living residences, or Long Term Care facilities. We all saw the horrors when COVID-19 rapidly spread through senior care residences. Aside from the many deaths, the reduced care--in some cases neglect and malnutrition--and months of social isolation was cruel for both the senior residents and their loved-ones who were prevented from visiting in-person for months. 

In many senior living facilities families were banned from entering the building for well-over a year (with the exception of one family member being allowed to visit a terminally-ill senior during their final days, but even then the visit times were often restricted and only the one chosen family member was allowed to visit). It seems like cruel and unusual punishment to make a dying senior chose between seeing their spouse, perhaps a surviving sibling, and their three grown children. 

Some seniors may require support beyond what friends and family can provide, or they may not want to feel like 'a burden'. Older adults can receive home-based care services to support them to live safely and comfortably in their own homes, and to age in place, if they wish to do so.

Next blog we will be discussing the many benefits for the community when seniors are welcomed and supported to remain in their neighbourhoods.