Helping more people age where they call home

As part of the Care Forward movement, teams across Canada are helping more people age safely and comfortably in their homes and communities.

Many older adults want to age at home and in their communities, but lack the support they need to stay mobile, access services and remain independent. Aging in place programs are improving access to home and community care, strengthening caregiver support, and easing pressure on hospitals and long-term care.

The results are clear — fewer hospital visits, reduced strain on long-term care, better quality of life for older adults and caregivers, and more efficient use of health and social care resources (PDF).

Healthcare Excellence Canada provides funding and learning opportunities to help health and social service organizations plan and implement proven approaches that make aging in place possible. To scale this impact, we share resources, promising practices, and insights to help others apply these approaches in their own communities.

Building on the success of other initiatives

Insights from initiatives such as Nursing Home Without Walls and the Enabling Aging in Place collaborative have produced actionable guidance and case studies, helping communities across Canada apply proven approaches that support more people to age at home and drive meaningful, measurable impact.

 

Nursing Home Without Walls

Supported by HEC, Université de Moncton and the Government of New Brunswick, Nursing Home Without Walls provided coaching and resources to nearly 30 nursing homes, enabling them to help older adults age in the place they call home.

Looking Ahead: Building on its success in New Brunswick, Nursing Home Without Walls supports jurisdictions across the country to bring nursing home support and services to older adults in their own homes, helping them age safely and comfortably where they already live. For more information on how to get involved email nhww-fssm@hec-esc.ca

89% of older adults surveyed feel Nursing Home Without Walls helped them stay at home, fostering stronger community connections.

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“By continuing to innovate and implement solutions adapted to the realities of our aging population, we are strengthening intergenerational ties and ensuring that every senior can age with dignity and respect,” - Lyne Chantal Boudreau, New Brunswick’s Minister responsible for seniors.
— Lyne Chantal Boudreau, New Brunswick’s Minister responsible for seniors.

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“By continuing to innovate and implement solutions adapted to the realities of our aging population, we are strengthening intergenerational ties and ensuring that every senior can age with dignity and respect,” - Lyne Chantal Boudreau, New Brunswick’s Minister responsible for seniors.
— Lyne Chantal Boudreau, New Brunswick’s Minister responsible for seniors.

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“NHWW has truly been a game-changer for me. Not only does it keep me busy and engaged with a variety of activities, but it has also allowed me to meet new friends and reconnect with old acquaintances during recreational events, whom I never thought I would see again in this life.” — NHWW service user

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“NHWW has truly been a game-changer for me. Not only does it keep me busy and engaged with a variety of activities, but it has also allowed me to meet new friends and reconnect with old acquaintances during recreational events, whom I never thought I would see again in this life.” — NHWW service user

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“Used to working within our small island communities, it is a rare treat to connect with teams from across the country and to access the expertise of our coach and the many resources from the HEC team. This is the kind of meaningful support we need to create real change with, and for, older adults in our communities.” — EAIP program participant

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“Used to working within our small island communities, it is a rare treat to connect with teams from across the country and to access the expertise of our coach and the many resources from the HEC team. This is the kind of meaningful support we need to create real change with, and for, older adults in our communities.” — EAIP program participant

Illustration of an individual holding a medication bottle in one hand and a tablet in the other hand, on a virtual healthcare call with a healthcare provider.

Enabling Aging in Place

The Enabling Aging in Place collaborative supports 26 organizations across Canada to implement promising practices that improve system navigation, reduce barriers, provide culturally responsive services and create engaged, connected communities.

86% of phase one teams engaged with community members in their program planning efforts differently because of knowledge gained in the collaborative.

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“Used to working within our small island communities, it is a rare treat to connect with teams from across the country and to access the expertise of our coach and the many resources from the HEC team. This is the kind of meaningful support we need to create real change with, and for, older adults in our communities.” — EAIP program participant

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“Used to working within our small island communities, it is a rare treat to connect with teams from across the country and to access the expertise of our coach and the many resources from the HEC team. This is the kind of meaningful support we need to create real change with, and for, older adults in our communities.” — EAIP program participant

More programs helping more people age where they call home

Some of our latest programs are focused on supporting health and social care teams to help more people age where they call home. Explore their work.

Illustration of a smiling individual with a nametag on their shirt sitting in a wheelchair holding a drinking cup in one hand while the other hand hands over a package with a heart and medical cross on it to another individual who is reaching for the package while sitting beside a drinking cup on a bench.

Right Care Challenge

Open to health and social care delivery teams ensuring people get the right care, at the right time, in the right place.

Register now

 

Illustration of a kneeling healthcare provider holding a tablet for an individual sitting in a chair. The tablet is for a virtual healthcare visit with another healthcare provider.

Enhancing Integrated Care

Open to primary and community care delivery organizations that are working to strengthen integrated team-based care, including virtual care.

Apply now

Improving care for one million with Care Forward

These offerings are part of Care Forward ,a pan-Canadian movement where people unite to share knowledge and apply proven approaches to make healthcare better for more people. With support from Healthcare Excellence Canada and its partners—through funding, resources, expert coaching, and a network of peers—healthcare changemakers are creating lasting local impact and improving care for over one million people across the country.

Featured content

Enabling Aging in Place Webinar Series

Join us for a webinar series that shares success stories and lessons learned that support older adults in aging at home.

Learn more and register

Nursing Home Without Walls (NHWW): Guide for Jurisdictions

The Nursing Home Without Walls (NHWW): Guide for Jurisdictions is a comprehensive resource designed to support provincial, territorial, and regional decision-makers evaluate, implement, and sustain a NHWW program.

Learn more

Seven Elements for the Successful Community Engagement of Older Adults

This resource offers strategies for inclusive engagement, leveraging community strengths to shape solutions that reflect older adults’ needs, experiences and support long-term impact.

Learn more

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Resources updated
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Change happens in partnership

Supporting organizations across Canada are helping drive meaningful progress as part of Care Forward.

Learn more

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Change happens in partnership

Supporting organizations across Canada are helping drive meaningful progress as part of Care Forward.

Learn more