At CARP, we’re passionate about helping Canadians age well—on their terms. I’m Anthony Quinn, CARP’s Chief Operating Officer, and after over 16 years advocating for our aging population, I’ve seen firsthand what it takes to stay independent, healthy, and financially secure as we grow older. Thanks to our partnership with ZoomerMedia, we’re amplifying this message beyond our members to millions of Canadians—and to the policymakers who shape our future.

Today, I’m diving into a topic that matters to all of us: healthy aging and aging in place. Whether you’re planning for yourself, your parents, or a loved one, this is about staying in control—of your independence, your health, and your savings. The catch? Most Canadians aren’t prepared. Here’s why acting now is your smartest move, how your home can evolve with you, and the small steps that can keep you thriving.

Not a CARP member yet? Consider joining us! For 40 years, we’ve fought for seniors’ rights, and while we’ve made strides, there’s more to do. Let’s get started.

The Reality of Aging in Canada

Canada is heading toward a “super-aged” society. By the end of 2025, over 20% of us—one in five—will be 65 or older. By 2045, the number of Canadians aged 85+ will triple. This shift means more of us living longer, facing health challenges, and needing homes that support us through those years.

What does this mean for you? Chronic conditions will become common. By age 80, nearly 80% of us will have at least one—arthritis stiffening joints, diabetes sapping energy, heart disease slowing us down, or COPD stealing breath. Over 50% of older Canadians will juggle two or more of these at once. Mobility issues will also rise: by 75, one in three seniors will struggle with everyday tasks, turning stairs, narrow doorways, or bathtubs into hazards.

Then there’s falls—a leading threat. One in four falls leads to hospitalization, with recovery tougher as we age. Many never regain their pre-fall health, facing a “new baseline” of decline. Falls rank among Canada’s top five causes of death, costing our healthcare system $2 billion in 2023 alone. The stakes are high, and the numbers don’t lie.

Why Preparing Now Matters
We see the challenges ahead, yet as a society, we’re terrible at preparing. Aging feels distant, so we dodge tough talks about health, finances, or where we’ll live when things change. We delay home upgrades, assuming we’ll always manage stairs or bounce out of bed. But this avoidance leaves us exposed.
Here’s the truth: 90% of Canadians want to age in place—staying in their homes as long as possible. Yet only 50% have made their homes aging-friendly. That gap puts half of us at risk of reacting to health crises with costly hospital stays, long-term care, or assisted living. In Ontario, long-term care averages $40,000 a year, with 2-3 year waitlists. Private assisted living? That’s $8,000-$10,000 a month—up to $120,000 annually—excluding emergency costs.

Imagine this: a fall from a loose rug breaks your hip. Hospital bills pile up fast. Without home adaptations, you’re forced into care at $9,000 a month or must sell your home to pay for it. For 60% of seniors in private care, selling their home wasn’t a choice—it was a necessity. But with a ramp, grab bars, or an accessible shower, you could recover at home, saving money and stress.

Aging in place starts with smart changes now—think walk-in showers, no-slip tiles, or widened doorways. These aren’t just fixes; they’re lifestyle upgrades for comfort, safety, and savings. At CARP, we’re pushing for tax credits to make these renovations affordable. If you’re a baby boomer (born 1946-1964), explore your options today—it’s an investment in your future and buffer against Canada’s healthcare system that may not be there for you when you need it.

Beyond the Physical: Combatting Loneliness

Aging in place isn’t just about your home’s layout—it’s about your social world. Isolation and loneliness can harm your health as much as physical limits. Research links social isolation to depression, mental health struggles, and higher mortality—as risky as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. Lack of engagement also speeds cognitive decline.

This silent crisis grows as we age. Friends move or pass away, mobility fades, and staying connected gets harder. But it’s not inevitable. Staying engaged boosts mental health, slows cognitive decline, and adds years to your life.

CARP encourages you to stay active in your community—volunteer, join clubs, or connect with loved ones. For the homebound, virtual options like video calls or online groups can bridge the gap. If you’re younger, build lasting connections now. And it’s a two-way street: we’re advocating for inclusive communities, better public transit, and social spaces—including our CARP Chapters, where volunteers host events and fight for seniors’ rights locally.

Move It or Lose It: Health and Fitness

Now, let’s talk about health—specifically, your physical health.

At CARP, we’ve seen the direct link between staying active and successfully aging in place. Those who stay physically active in their later years are more likely to stay in their homes longer and reduce their need for costly care.

The reality is: if you want to age in place successfully, you need to keep moving. It’s not about running marathons—it’s about keeping the engine running.

Here’s what the research tells us:

• Walking 8,000 steps a day—about an hour of walking—reduces your risk of dying from any cause by 51% compared to those who walk only 4,000 steps.
• Strength training twice a week reduces fall risk by 34% and helps maintain bone density—critical in preventing fractures as we age.
• Sitting for more than 10 hours a day accelerates aging by up to 8 years. Your body wears out faster the more you sit still.

This is why movement is the best anti-aging medicine available. If it came in a pill, it would be the best-selling drug in history.

And Canadian seniors are getting sicker:

• Over 60% of Canadians 65+ have high blood pressure.
• 25% have diabetes, leading to circulation issues, neuropathy, or vision loss.
• One in three seniors 75+ has muscle loss (sarcopenia)—which makes simple tasks like standing up, carrying groceries, or climbing stairs twice as hard.
• 2.4 million Canadians over age 65 are obese.

And then there’s falls:

• 95% of hip fractures in seniors come from falls.
• One in five seniors dies within a year of a hip fracture.
• In 2022, 1.6 million Canadian seniors reported a fall.

Here’s what happens: you fall. You’re hospitalized. You lose mobility. You can’t return home safely. You’re moved into assisted living—at $6,000–$10,000 per month. If you can’t adapt your home fast enough, you’re forced to sell it or burden your family with caregiving—an average of 20 hours per week, per StatsCan.

But here’s the good news: Falls aren’t bad luck—they’re preventable.

A 20-minute walk daily reduces fall risk by 30%. Simple exercises—chair squats, balance drills, lifting light weights—can add years of mobility and independence.

At CARP, we run walking groups, fitness challenges, and advocacy campaigns because we’ve seen this in action.

Take Margaret, 87—she still tends her roses because she walks every morning, keeping the frailty that claims so many at bay.
Or John, 91—he swears by his exercise routine, chair exercises, modified push ups and brisk walking so he can still meets friends at Tim Hortons every morning.

No pills, no magic—just consistency.

Now, compare that to a member I know who stopped moving after retirement of physical labour. After decades of work decided it was time to rest.. And he sat down in front of the TV with his wife and relaxed. He put on weight, didn’t exercise other than a golf round in a cart once a week. Within five years, he couldn’t manage stairs, then couldn’t manage his house. He had knee replacement surgery, but wasn’t able to do the rehab properly because of other health issues. And his social circle got smaller and smaller…and dementia crept in.

He’s now in care, paying over $40,000 a year, missing the home and life he once loved.

The bottom line? If you don’t move, you don’t stay. Aging in place means staying mobile, staying strong, and staying engaged.

Your Next Steps

In conclusion, aging well isn’t about luck—it’s about preparation.

We all want to stay independent, stay healthy, and stay in the homes we love. But that doesn’t happen by accident—it happens by planning ahead.

So, here’s my challenge to you today.

Prepare your home. Don’t wait for an emergency—make small modifications now that can save you thousands later. Make your home more age friendly every year.
Move more. A daily walk, simple strength exercises—whatever keeps you mobile, keeps you home.

Stay connected. Don’t let isolation creep in—build your social life like you build your financial security.

Use CARP as a resource. We’re fighting for your rights—better policies, better home support, better aging options.

But the most important message? Take action today.

Aging is coming. Let’s make it healthy, happy, and at home.