New report highlights approaches to alternative housing for aging population
Posted Jun 21, 2021 03:52:00 PM.
A new report by Waterloo’s Age Friendly Committee suggests that Waterloo should prioritize alternative housing and care models to facilitate aging in the community, rather than at home or in long-term care housing.
The report was completed by graduate students from the University of Waterloo’s School of Planning, with the help of Dr. John Lewis, and identifies barriers and opportunities for implementing these models within the community, while facilitating “comfort, dignity, and autonomy for older adults.”
“The COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated that there are many opportunities to improve housing situations throughout communities, including those for older adults who may be isolated within their homes or care facilities,” they wrote in a news release.
In response, the report recommends that the government should prioritize aging in community models over the existing aging in place (usually in their own homes) and in care models.
Currently, 94 per cent of Ontario residents over the age of 65 live in “other” types of accommodation, including their own homes and apartments, rather than in care homes.
They point to Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities (NORCs) as one example of this model, where the majority of residents are incidentally over 60 years old.
“These can include apartment buildings, condominiums, and single-family home neighbourhoods. NORCs are typically vibrant communities where residents are physically and socially active, and represent a healthy example of aging in community. Sustaining NORCs with “senior-friendly” support service programs to enable residents to age in their community is just one opportunity for city leaders and planners.”
“As the City of Waterloo celebrates Seniors Month, city staff look forward to using the information in the report to inform their work in Age Friendly planning. Supporting our older adults to age in community, encouraging them to feel included and fostering a sense of belonging contributes to the goal of healthy, resilient neighbourhoods.”
To read the full report, visit the Age Friendly Committee section of the City of Waterloo website.
