Family Council Briefing on Perspectives on Growing Older in Canada: The 2025 NIA Ageing in Canada Survey
What the 2025 Ageing in Canada Survey Means for Long-Term Care
Source: Perspectives on Growing Older in Canada: The 2025 Ageing in Canada Survey
Audience: Family Councils and Family Advocates in Long-Term Care
By: Lisa Dawson, President ILTCCABC
Why This Matters to Family Councils
The 2025 Ageing in Canada Survey helps explain what family councils see every day:
Most people do not choose long-term care — they arrive there because other supports were not enough or not available.
Although the survey focuses on adults aged 50+ living in the community (not current LTC residents), its findings directly affect who enters long-term care, how complex their needs are, and the pressures families and care homes face.
Key Findings Relevant to Long-Term Care
Long-Term Care Is Rarely a Preference
- Only 3% of Canadians aged 50+ say they would choose to move into long-term care.
- This has remained consistent over several years.
What families know: Long-term care is most often a last resort, not a desired option.
Most People Want to Stay at Home — But Aren’t Supported to Do So
- 81% want to remain in their own home or a smaller home as long as possible.
- 62% have made no plans or modifications to prepare for ageing at home.
- Fewer than half feel their homes will meet their future needs.
Who is most at risk: renters, people with lower incomes, and those in poorer health.
Gaps Before Admission Shape Life Inside LTC
When home care, community support, and accessible housing fall short:
- People enter long-term care older, sicker, and in crisis
- Families arrive exhausted from years of unpaid caregiving and advocacy
- Care homes face higher complexity and pressure
What happens before admission affects residents, families, and staff after admission.
Home and Community Care Are Part of the LTC System
The survey makes clear that:
- Strong home and community care can delay or prevent unnecessary LTC admissions
- Better supports reduce pressure on long-term care homes
- Long-term care must be reserved for those who truly need it
This is not about replacing long-term care — it is about ensuring it is used appropriately and supported properly.
What This Means for Family Councils
Family councils are not just advisory groups — they are system witnesses.
The survey supports family councils’ long-standing advocacy that:
- Long-term care must be person-centered, well-resourced, and family-inclusive
- Families are essential partners in care, not optional visitors
- System gaps should not fall on residents, families, or frontline staff
- Governments must invest across the full continuum of care — home, community, and long-term care together
Key Message for Advocacy
Long-term care should never be the default because other options failed.
When people need long-term care, it must provide dignity, safety, and quality of life — supported by families who are respected and heard.
