The Government of Canada announced on September 1 that it is investing in organizations that are making it possible for older adults to age at home. Minister of Seniors Seamus O'Regan Jr. announced $13.95 million in funding for 11 projects in Ontario under the “Scaling Up for Seniors” stream of the Age Well at Home initiative. The projects could serve as models for similar undertakings in other countries.

The minister made the announcement while visiting the Yee Hong Centre for Geriatric Care in Scarborough, which will receive over $1 million for its project, "Bridging the Service Gap to Keep Seniors Aging in Place." The center will work with the support of communities, organizations that serve older adults and other agencies to expand the delivery of their services in Ontario and into British Columbia.

The Alzheimer Society of Canada, which also received funding, will scale up support services offered in Ontario for older adults living with dementia and their caregivers to all other provinces and territories. In addition, Rural Ottawa South Support Services will expand its "A Friendly Voice" project to Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland and Labrador to enable older adults to age well at home through meaningful social connections.

Overall, through the Age Well at Home initiative, organizations are being funded that meet the needs of diverse groups of older adults, including those who have a low income, are Black or racialized, Indigenous, members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community,  and older adults who live in rural and remote settings, are members of official language minority communities, newcomers and those who speak a language other than English or French.

In addition, the government increased the Old Age Security by 10% for those ages 75 and older and the Guaranteed Income Supplement by up to $947 annually for low-income single older adults.

To learn more about  Canada's Age Well at Home initiative, click here