Seniors' use of and unmet needs for home care, 2009

Based on data from the 2009 Canadian Community Health Survey-Healthy Aging, this article provides current information about home care use and unmet home care needs of community-dwelling seniors aged 65 or older. Home care is assistance received at home for a health-related reason in the 12 months before the interview. It includes formal care provided by paid workers or volunteer organizations and informal care provided by family, friends and/or neighbours. In 2009, 25% of seniors received home care services. The percentage receiving home care increased with age and ill health. As well, seniors who lived alone were more likely to have received home care than were those who lived with others. Housework and transportation were the most common types of care reported. Family, friends and neighbours provided the majority of care across all care types. Nearly 180,000 seniors (4%) reported having unmet needs for professional home care.