Calgary’s Changing Landscape: How Home Care Supports Aging in Place

Calgary is currently experiencing a significant demographic shift. With declining birth rates and increasing life expectancy, the city’s senior population has surged. It can be observed over the past decade. This has led to an escalating demand for senior care solutions. This shift aims to enable elderly individuals to remain in their homes and communities. In-home care has emerged as a preferred model. It offers older adults independence, comfort, and an enhanced quality of life.
The Rise of Calgary’s Aging Population
According to the latest home data, Calgary’s elderly population has increased by a staggering 76% since 2001. The city now has over 95,500 seniors over the age of 65, with projections estimating this number will reach 177,000 by 2031. Calgary is among Canada’s fastest-aging cities.
There has been significant growth across all senior age brackets:
- The 65-to-74 demographic rose by 23.1% between 2011-2016. This age group increased from 33,575 to 41,310 individuals.
- The 75-to-84 group increased by 38.5%, from 18,770 to 26,020 people.
- Individuals over 85 years grew by 20.6%, from 5,910 to 7,135.
The most significant increase was in the 75-84 age range, closely followed by the 65-74 group. This illustrates a growing wave of seniors in need of specialized eldercare.
The demographic segment poised to drive further increase in the coming years is the 55-64 population. This group saw a 52.6% jump between 2011-2016. This lays the foundation for continued aging growth as they join the senior ranks.
The data emphasizes the rapid growth of Calgary’s population, particularly among seniors, creating new demands on eldercare. This large expansion of the senior population creates new realities and strains on eldercare. Thus, it needs innovative solutions.
Surging Demand for In-Home Elder Care
The rise in the number of seniors making use of home care in Calgary has led to greater demand for care services that suit their evolving needs. Improved health awareness and medical advancements enable people to live longer. Seniors are staying active longer and leading more independent lifestyles.
There has been a marked shift towards non-institutional care settings. Today, over two-thirds of Canadian seniors receiving care do so in their own homes. In-home care provides individualized support. It allows aging individuals to keep their independence. At the same time, they remain in familiar, comfortable environments.
With Baby Boomers entering the elderly population, the preference for home care will continue to increase. Over 50% of this cohort wishes to age in place with assistance as opposed to relocating to retirement homes or care facilities.
Benefits of Aging in Place
Beyond logistical considerations, aging in place positively impacts seniors’ physical health. It’s also good for their cognitive abilities, social connections, and emotional well-being. The ability to make care choices is linked to perceptions of independence and dignity.
The key benefits of seniors staying in their homes include:
- Remaining close to family and friends, avoiding isolation
- Accessing care in intimate settings, preserving modesty
- Retaining mobility longer by going through familiar spaces
- Reduced risk of depression and anxiety from unfamiliar settings
- Customizing spaces to meet evolving accessibility needs
- Maintaining community membership and engagement
Care services should support seniors in socializing and engaging in physical and mental activities. These foster successful aging in place.
COVID-19 Accelerates Preference for In-Home Care
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to increased hesitancy when it comes to communal living facilities. Examples of these include retirement homes and long-term care centers. These were early hotspots for outbreaks, raising safety concerns.
There has been a major drop in occupancy rates in senior homes in Calgary. At the same time, demand for in-home care has risen by over 40% as families seek to limit exposure risk for elderly relatives. Virtual care solutions have also gained popularity.
For elders, remaining at home with limited outside contact offers its share of benefits. For one, it provides isolation from threats of infection. This is likely to make in-home care more desirable long after the current pandemic.
Customized and Flexible Care Plans for Seniors
In-home care services are adapting to meet the growing need for care tailored to senior needs. Some may need short-term rehabilitative or respite care. But others need long-term assistance with daily tasks. Care plans address individual physical, social, and medical needs.
Service flexibility allows seniors to remain at home through changing circumstances. They will have access to care increasing or decreasing as needed. Developing relationships with consistent caregivers also provides security.
There are diverse home care options:
- Skilled nursing for wound care, injections, and disease management
- Physical, occupational, and speech therapy
- Home maintenance and transportation
- Meal preparation and companionship
Round-the-clock or live-in care enables seniors with high dependency to age comfortably in their homes.
Enhancing Quality of Life for Calgary’s Aging Population
Home care services aim to provide elderly individuals with the assistance they require. That way, they can continue enjoying meaning and independence in their silver years.
Staying active, safe, and engaged with family and community enhances seniors’ sense of purpose and self-worth. In-home care facilitates this by supporting day-to-day tasks. At the same time, they preserve autonomy and lifestyle preferences. It allows Calgary’s elderly to happily age in the comfort of spaces that hold memories and meaning.
Quality of life is also enhanced through activities that are uniquely possible at home, such as:
- Pursuing hobbies and leisure interests
- Cooking favorite meals in their own kitchens
- Receiving family or friends for social gatherings
- Hosting grandchildren for overnight stays
- Entertaining pets that provide comfort and companionship
Through personalized and flexible solutions, home care enhances the quality of life. It delivers positive outcomes for seniors navigating the aging process. As leaders in enabling aging in place, providers like Home Instead are helping redefine eldercare in Calgary for the long term.
FAQs
What makes in-home care a preferred option for seniors in Calgary?
Home care helps older people to grow comfortably and independently in their familiar homes. It helps them stay with their communities. It stops the trouble of moving and gives personal help tailored to what each person needs.
How has the COVID-19 pandemic changed how older people are taken care of in Calgary?
The disease has made the change to home care faster. Families want to lower the chances of getting sick for older family members. It has also pushed more people to use online health services.
What are the main parts of a good care plan at home for older people?
A good senior care plan is tailored to the specific needs of the individual. It can be changed as their needs change in time. It aims to help people be independent and have a better life in their homes.