Aging in Poverty – Where do poor seniors live in Canada?

Aging in poverty in Canada. Did you ever wonder where do poor seniors live in Canada?

A good number of seniors are living near the poverty line. They have all kinds of physical and mental illnesses and live in fear of being unable to manage financially.

Toronto has one of the highest rates of senior poverty among large urban centers in Canada. Almost 70,000 (17.4%) of seniors live in low-income households, compared to 12% of seniors in Ontario and 14.5% of seniors in Canada.

According to 2016 Census data, 25,000 seniors in Toronto live in a long-term care homes. Long-term care homes provide support to some of the frailest and most vulnerable seniors who are no longer able to live independently. In Ontario, long-term care homes are regulated by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care.

Ontario has 626 long-term care homes, 58% are privately owned, 24% are non-profit/charitable, and 16% are municipal.

According to basic statistics of Canada, nearly 2 million seniors receive the Guaranteed Income Supplement and live on about $17,000 per year. However, the most basic standard of living in Canada is calculated at $18,000 per year for a single person.

Now, after the pandemic, it is even more clear that there are many gaps in the social safety net for seniors. But it will be years before if ever Canada will build more long-term care and affordable housing secure for seniors.

Which Group of Seniors Is Most Likely to Be Living in Poverty?

With more than one in six seniors living in poverty, Toronto has the third-highest rate of senior poverty among large urban centers in Canada (behind only Montreal and Vancouver).

The data show staggering levels of poverty for some racialized groups:

• 45% of Korean and West Asian seniors
• 38% of Arab seniors
• 90% of Indigenous peoples 55 and older in Toronto experience poverty.

According to the Senior Poverty Report over half of the seniors are in need of affordable housing. Sixty percent of senior tenant households spend 30% or more of their income on housing costs, above the threshold considered affordable in Canada, and one in five spend 50% or more, placing them at heightened risk of homelessness. 

What Is Considered a Low-Income Senior in Canada?

Single seniors with a total annual income of $29,285 or less and couples who have a combined annual income of $47,545 or less are considered to be low-income seniors.

What Types of Housing Options Are Available for Seniors?

If you’re a senior with a low income, see if your province or territory has any programs to help you get affordable housing. Find out about

There are three major types of seniors’ housing, with many varieties within each type. It is important to note that seniors’ housing is not the same in all provinces and territories. There are different laws governing the operation of some types of housing; there are also differences in access to subsidized units for low-income seniors.

INDEPENDENT LIVING

Independent living means that you are looking after yourself in your own place. You might hire someone to come in and help with household tasks or purchase outside services such as meals. But the place you live–your family home, condominium, rental apartment, government-subsidized apartment, co-op, or other location–does not provide these services for you.

SUPPORTIVE HOUSING / ASSISTED LIVING / RETIREMENT HOME

This is a large housing category, and it goes by many different names. The common feature is that support services are included in the overall residential package.

In Canada, seniors on basic pensions could have limited options when they want to move to senior housing facilities.  While there are affordable subsidized retirement homes, they are in high demand and have long waiting lists. 

These services can range from meals to assistance with bathing, to an on-call nurse. What is offered depends on the place you choose and also on what you need.

Some housing facilities in this category are owned and operated by for-profit companies; others are owned and operated by not-for-profit organizations like service clubs or churches. Some are government-owned. In some provinces and territories, there is government support for this type of housing to make it more affordable for low-income seniors.

LONG TERM CARE / NURSING HOME

This type of housing is usually available only to people who need a high level of ongoing personal or medical care. This may be because of chronic illness or disability or some other reason. If you are in this situation, talk to your doctor or other health care provider. You may need to undergo an assessment of your health needs in order to get access.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?

Just as there is a wide range in the type of housing available, there is a wide range in how much it costs. If you are comparing costs, it is important to get accurate information about what services are included. Many cost differences are due to the different types and different levels of services that are offered. In many provinces and territories, the monthly cost paid by individuals is linked to their income.

Monthly rental prices are higher in retirement homes. The average rent for a standard one-bedroom unit is $4,700 in the Greater Toronto Area retirement home. The published Long Term Care (LTC) home cost for a private unit was $2,700 in 2019.  In LTC homes, the government covers nursing and personal support costs for residents.

The cost of seniors’ residences varies across Canada.

Average rents for standard spaces

The Seniors’ Housing Report, published by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), has information about the average cost of seniors’ residences throughout Canada. Get affordable housing in Ontario. Service managers in municipalities oversee affordable housing projects across the province. Find your local service manager.

CONCLUSION

Get to know what home support services are available in your community, such as home care, meal delivery services, and transportation assistance.

If you are looking at a seniors’ residence, ASK

• what services are included in the monthly cost
• and what services, if any, you can purchase at an additional cost.
• Consider the location and how easy it will be to get to community facilities such as churches, libraries, hospitals, and community centers.
• Consider the availability of transportation for shopping, outings, and medical appointments.
• Have a lawyer or someone you trust review a service agreement or housing contract before you sign it.
• Ask for information about the way a facility handles complaints and disputes.
• Get information about your rights as a resident or tenant before you move in.
• Ask if there are limits on annual rent increases.

Thanks for reading this article – I hope you found it helpful. As always, I’d love to hear from you! Have a fabulous week and take care! Irina Nikitina – Founder of Modern Fifty TV

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