The 2011 Canadian Federal Disability Report provides some interesting numbers with respect to mobility and agility disabilities (both terms defined below) among older Canadians. The report indicates that 17 percent and 16 percent of Canadians aged 55 to 64 experience mobility and agility disabilities respectively. These statistics increase to 24 percent and 23 precent of seniors aged 65 to 74, and then jumps to 41 percent and 38 percent of seniors aged 75 to 84, and 61 percent and 57 percent of seniors aged 85 and over.
According to the Canadian Institute for Health Information, Canada’s seniors population — those age 65 and older — is expected to grow by 68%. Over the last 40 years, it has more than tripled in size. Between 1977 and 1997, the seniors population grew from about 2 million to 3.5 million. In 2017, it sat at about 6.2 million. In 2037, it is expected to number 10.4 million.
If we assume that the percentages of older Canadians with mobility and agility challenges remains stable over the next decade or so, this would mean a large increase in the total number of older Canadians experiencing these challenges. Add to this that 78 percent of Canadians want to age in their current homes, as a national survey on aging-in-place conducted by the March of Dimes indicated, it will become necessary to adopt, operationalize and fund universal design initiatives so that more Canadians are able to age in place for as long as possible (there are many benefits associated with aging in place but these will be discussed in a future blog posts).
The Irish National Disability Authority defines Universal Design as the design and composition of an environment so that it can be accessed, understood and used to the greatest extent possible by all people regardless of their age, size, ability or disability. An environment (or any building, product, or service in that environment) should be designed to meet the needs of all people who wish to use it.
Seven principles were developed by a multi-disciplinary working group at the North Carolina State University in the mid-nineteen nineties. The purpose of the principles is to guide the design of environments, products and communications. Below is a chart by Carr et al. that outlines these principles.
Drawing on universal design principles, below are some typical modifications a person may make to their home to facilitate aging in place (I always try including practical examples).
Typical Exterior Modifications:
-
-
- Wheelchair ramp (provide zero step entry)
- Increased access around exterior
- Improved lighting
-
Typical Interior Modifications:
-
-
- Grab bars and handrails throughout home
- Non-slip flooring
- Stair lifts or elevators
- Door lever and offset door hinge hardware
- Light switch / Thermostat and wall receptacle heights
- Appropriate lighting (Ambient/General, Task and Accent lighting)
- Widening hallways and doorways (if possible)
- First Floor Bedroom (Ranch or Cape Cod style home)
- Adaptable & Useable Kitchens (Appropriate heights for counters, sinks, & appliances)
- Accessible Bathroom
-
The 2021 March of Dimes survey indicated that 78 per cent of working age adults (age 18-64) and 93 per cent of seniors (65 and over) agree that home modifications help people to age-in-place. However, the cost of home modifications was identified as a barrier by over 50 per cent of both working age adults and seniors.
The adoption of universal design principles will be a key component to help Canadians stay in their homes longer and enjoy all the benefits that come with aging in place.
—————————————————-
Mobility Disability, def. difficulty walking up and down a flight of stairs, standing in one spot for 20 minutes or moving from one room to another. This is most the common disability type among seniors and is experienced more by women than men.
Agility Disability, def. difficulty bending down, dressing or undressing, getting in and out of bed or grasping small objects. This is the second most common type of disability among seniors and is more common in women than men.
Image credit: Genevieve Russo