Living conditions have a direct impact on seniors’ mental and physical health and well-being.  Those with available transportation and who live in safe, enabling environments that promote independence and socialization are more likely to live happier and healthier lives. Appropriate, accessible and affordable housing plays a central role in determining seniors’ physical and financial security, as well as their independence. The ability to drive a vehicle, and/or the availability of other transportation alternatives, are critical for seniors to have access to services, recreation and to enjoy social contact.

A number of seniors are able to live alone due to good health, access to home care or community supports and/or financial independence. Over a 10-year period (1991-2001), the percentage of seniors living alone increased slightly from 26% to 27% (16% of men and 35% of women in 2001). This increase is more pronounced for those aged 85 and over. In 2001, 23% of men aged 85 and over and 39% of women aged 85 and older, lived alone (compared to 19% of men and 31% of women in 1991) (chart 4.1). Women aged 75 to 84 years represent the group of seniors most likely to live alone (43% in 2001).

Home Ownership - Between 1996 and 2001, the percentage of homeownership among all senior households increased slightly (from 69% to 71%). In 2001, 66% of non-senior households were homeowners. Between 1999 and 2003, the rate of homeownership increased for both senior couples and senior women living alone.

In 2001, 83% of senior households who owned their home were without a mortgage, a proportion much higher than non-senior households (33%). Moreover, the rate of senior homeowners who were mortgage-free increased from 46% to 50% for older women living alone between 2000 and 2003.

Not only are seniors who live alone less likely to own their home, they also are less likely to be mortgage-free. In 2003, about half of senior homeowners living alone had a mortgage while only one quarter of senior couples had a mortgage. For senior couples, the rate of senior homeowners who are mortgage-free decreased (from 79% to 76%) between 2000 and 2003.

The Government of Canada has a number of programs to help seniors maintain their homes in a safe, comfortable and energy-efficient manner.

• The Home Adaptations for Seniors' Independence Program helps homeowners and landlords pay for home adaptations that will allow low-income seniors to stay longer in their own homes. 
• The Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Program financially helps eligible homeowners and landlords make their dwelling accessible to low-income people with disabilities. It also provides assistance to create secondary and garden suites for low-income seniors and adults with disabilities.
• The Emergency Repair Program helps low-income homeowners or occupants in rural and remote areas pay for emergency repairs to keep their homes safe.

To find out more about these programs contact Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation at 1 800 668-2642 or visit their website by Clicking Here.

Renting - Housing costs remain a problem for many renters.  The level of core housing need decreased slightly for senior households between 1996 and 2001 (from 18% to 17%). Two key trends explain this result: renter housing conditions improved, and more senior households became owners (owners are less likely to be in housing need).  According to a Stats Canada report in 2005, about 43% of seniors renting in Canada were said to be in "low standard" housing  in 2001, compared with 36% a decade earlier.

Among senior-led households, affordable housing is a greater challenge for renters than for homeowners, as senior renters are four times more likely to report affordability problems (44% vs. 10% for senior homeowners in 2001). 

Staying mobile is important to the lifestyle of today’s seniors. Growing older doesn’t mean you have to give up driving. No one loses his or her driver’s licence solely because of age. Click here to see the steps that Seniors can take to make their driving safer.

The Canadian Urban Transit Association estimates that seniors make up a significant portion (almost 10%) of the national public transit customer base and that the percentage can rise as high as 30% in smaller communities. Between 1996 and 2001, provincial governments reduced their annual investment in public transit by more than two-thirds. For seniors who use public transit this is an unfortunate development since it can seriously affect their mobility – especially in smaller communities.

Living Environment - Most seniors feel they live in safe and secure environments. Ninety-five percent (95%) of seniors reported a high level of satisfaction with their personal safety. Most felt safe walking alone in their neighbourhood after dark and were not worried when home alone in the evening. As reported in the 2001 Report Card, seniors are still the least likely age group to become victims of violent crimes. Data from 2003 show that senior men were victimized at a rate of 184 per 100,000 and older women at a rate of 119 per 100,000. Overall, the trend in violent crimes against seniors decreased between 2000 and 2003 for both sexes.

And how about safety in the home?  Canada's Public Health Agency has produced "The Safe Living Guide - A guide to home safety for seniors".   This 42 page document (and you can dowload it free by Clicking Here) contains chapters explaining how to: