The majority of seniors want to stay in their own home as long as possible; it is an important way for them to maintain their independence and dignity. It also reduces the cost borne by society through more expensive forms of continuing care.

Today in Alberta, the vast majority (88 percent) of seniors continue to live in their own homes, either as owners or renters. But for increasing numbers of seniors who are frail or have impaired mobility, there is limited access to even the minimal support that would allow them to maintain and live in their own homes.

Apart from a limited amount of short-term home care offered by regional health authorities, the home care that is available to seniors with medical needs is largely being offered by private agencies. The costs of necessary medical supplies and services that would be available free of charge in a nursing home or extended care facility is downloaded onto individual seniors or their families.

Professional services, such as nursing, social work, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, nutritional services and respiratory therapy can cost as much as $52 per hour. Support services such as homemaking and personal care services like bathing, dressing and grooming can cost as much as $25 per hour, or $220 a day.

While some professional services are eligible for funding through Regional Health Authorities, the costs of other support services are borne by the seniors or require the dedication and time of family members or friends.

These problems will become more serious as our population continues to age over the coming decades, because older seniors tend to have increased problems with mobility, dementia and other health problems requiring assistance. As noted, in 20 years, over half of Alberta seniors will be over the age of 85.

According to the 2001 Census, seniors’ average income was $26,336 in 2000, more than $5000 lower than for the average Albertan. In 2005, 42 percent of Alberta seniors had incomes low enough to qualify for the Alberta Seniors’ Benefit (ASB), which provides a subsistence level of income.

Because so much of their income is fixed, seniors are being driven from their homes by property taxes based on market value assessment as well as the skyrocketing cost of living. From 2001 to 2004, the rate of inflation for low-income households increased by more than 15 percent and the cost of natural gas for home heating has doubled in the past five years while the cost of power has increased by 50 percent.

The lack of accessible, affordable transportation for seniors is another major concern which makes it difficult for them to stay at home as long as they would like.

All the difficulties of transportation and access to needed services are especially problematic for the 20 percent of seniors who live in rural areas. While some forms of support, such as meals on wheels and home maintenance services, are available in some communities, many smaller communities and remote areas lack the resources to provide such assistance.

It is in the best interests of both seniors and our society as a whole to put in place the necessary supports for seniors living in their own home. While the government does not need to assume the full cost of such support, it does need to provide organizational leadership to address the financial pressures that drive seniors from their own homes.

We want action now:
The provincial government must provide the assistance required to allow seniors to stay in their own homes as long as possible, in addition to providing home care to seniors with medical needs.

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