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Living at Home

Written by: Stephen Morgotch

May 05 2024

The National Institute of Ageing recently conducted a large-scale survey of Canadians to address the topic of living at home as a senior. They found that 91 percent of all Canadians regardless of age prefer and plan to live at home for as long as they possibly can. Furthermore, almost 100 percent of Canadians aged 65 and older wanted the same (Sinha, 2020). With the overwhelming number of those surveyed wishing to remain at home as they age it begs the question as to why. One might be inclined to think that we are social beings and have been used to living with others (ie. roommates, families, and friends) all our lives, thus living in a facility should somehow be desirable. Even though facilities provide ample support in a variety of ways by offering the services of many professionals, there are still many reasons individuals would choose to stay home.

The first, and likely most significant reason, is independence. Living at home affords one with a sense of independence. At home, an individual can go to the bathroom, take a bath or shower, cook and clean, exercise, and do what they want, when they want. Their lives revolve around decisions they make for themselves and not on the decisions of others being made for them.

The second reason most people would choose to live at home over living in a care facility is familiar surroundings. Our homes become an expression of our unique personalities as we customize them to our liking. Whether you are someone who likes to decorate rooms with area rugs, paintings, vases and other decorations or someone who likes technology and fills their rooms with electronics, each person customizes their space to their own tastes. Maybe you would rather spend your time in the garage working on all sorts of projects and filling your space with a myriad of tools. This sense of familiarity continuously gives us a longing to return home. While many care facilities have nice décor, they cannot account for all individual resident’s personalities and tastes and the environment will likely be the same for everyone. The third reason people would likely choose to stay at home is that they prefer the company of familiar people. They want above all else to remain at home with loved ones that are close to them. Staying at home keeps people in close, continuous contact with their closest relations and with those who understand their needs the most.

There are many people who would love to remain at home despite health challenges but feel they would take up too much of their family member’s time. These individuals would like to stay home for the same reasons mentioned above but feel guilty that family members must take time out of their busy schedules to meet their needs.

The above reasons make a compelling case for the benefits of home care services such as those provided by CANE. We know how much more fulfilling it is to live a life of independence and to live in familiar surroundings tailored to your own or your loved one’s unique tastes. We can help you or your loved one with daily activities that were once completed with ease such as bathing or showering, dressing, and cooking and cleaning, all with the goal of keeping you living a full and abundant life in the comfort of your own home. Our services will help you or your family to free up time for the things enjoyed most in life.




Sinha, S. K. (2020, October 13). Almost 100 per cent of Older Canadians Surveyed Plan to Live Independently in their Own Homes, But Is This Even Possible?. National Institute on Ageing. https://www.nia-ryerson.ca/commentary-posts/2020/9/22/almost-100-per-cent-of-older- canadians-surveyed-plan-to-live-independently-in-their-own-homes-but-is-this-even- possible