Ensuring the ability for people to age with dignity is among the focuses of the province’s Seniors’ Advocate, but those needs are not always being met.
Susan Walsh says allowing people to live in their own homes – if that’s what they want – is important, and providing them with the means to do so is where the challenge lies.
Walsh says what aging with dignity looks like is different for each person.
“Housing is a considerable issue. Many people lack accessible, affordable, safe housing,” says Walsh. “The cost of home repairs and heating, those kind of things, plus trying to get someone to do that work.” Accessing primary health care is also a major concern for many people, according to Walsh.