Ottawa supports Age Well at Home program

GATINEAU, Que. – Federal minister of seniors, Kamal Khera (pictured), announced the launch of a new initiative called Age Well at Home, which will help seniors stay in their homes for as long as possible as they age by providing them with practical assistance for everyday tasks.

“Healthy aging includes the ability to stay at home for as long as possible. Through the Age Well at Home initiative, the Government of Canada is helping seniors access the services they need to be able to age at home, where they are comfortable, within the communities that support them,” said Khera.

Minister Khera is one of the youngest women ever elected to Parliament. A registered nurse, community volunteer, and political activist, she is passionate about improving the lives of those around her. Prior to entering politics, Minister Khera worked as a registered nurse in the oncology unit at St. Joseph’s Health Centre in Toronto, where she gained a deeper understanding of the issues that impact people’s health and well-being every day.

Budget 2021 provided $90 million in funding that will be invested over four fiscal years, starting in 2022-23, for Age Well at Home. As part of the calls for proposals, organizations will be able to apply for funding for projects under two streams: In-Home Support Pilot Projects and Scaling Up for Seniors.

The In-Home Support Pilot Projects stream funds eligible organizations across Canada that have experience delivering one or more specific volunteer-based services to seniors. Organizations need to provide at least one of the eligible practical support services to low-income and otherwise vulnerable seniors in a local area, as well as help seniors navigate and access eligible services provided by other local organizations. Eligible services are:

• light housekeeping (such as laundry, cleaning);
• meal delivery and/or preparation;
• home maintenance (such as repairs, yard work, lawn mowing);
• transportation (such as to appointments, errands);
• snow removal;
• volunteer drop-offs (such as groceries, medication, pet supplies); and
• friendly visiting in the home.

The Scaling Up for Seniors stream provides funds to eligible organizations to expand services that have already demonstrated results in helping seniors age in place. Applications must propose to deliver services in more than one province or territory. However, Indigenous governments and organizations located in Quebec can choose whether to propose to scale up within a single province or territory, or scale up within more than one.

Organizations are invited to apply for the In-Home Support Pilot Projects stream and the Scaling Up for Seniors stream of the Age Well at Home initiative until July 22, 2022.

Budget 2021 announced $90 million in grants and contributions and operational funding for Age Well at Home. Of this total budget, $22.95 million has been allocated to the Scaling Up for Seniors call for proposals, and $53.55 million has been allocated for the In-Home Support Pilot Projects call for proposals.

The calls for proposals opened on June 8, 2022, and will remain open until July 22, 2022.

Seniors are one of the fastest-growing age groups in Canada. By 2030, the number of seniors is expected to reach 9.4 million, representing close to one quarter of Canada’s population.

In-Home Support Pilot Projects are eligible to receive up to $800,000 in funding. Scaling Up for Seniors projects are eligible to receive up to $2 million in funding.