Aging in Place
The benefits of aging in place are well-known, but co-ops may need help to support their valued aging members.
As housing co-op members get older, they may face challenges that make it more difficult to continue to live safely in their units, to remain fully involved in their co-op communities and to know where to get support when they need it.
Aging in Place Committee
Our Aging in Place Committee provides a focus for CHF BC’s work in this area.
The Aging in Place Committee identifies ways CHF BC can help co-ops to adapt to the changing needs of their members as they age.
To connect with members, request to join the Aging in Place Community Facebook Group.
It is open to any member of a housing co-op across Canada. The group is a resource where co-op members can access information that may be useful to seniors. It is also a place to share ideas about aging in your co-op communities.
Interested in becoming a committee member?
Share why you would like to participate, what your top priority would be as a member, and how you see your role within the committee. We’d also love to learn a bit about you personally—what would you like committee members to know about you!
Century of Co-operation Awards
Seniors are at the very heart of housing co-ops, many of whom played critical roles in the running of their co-op. Recognizing the valuable contributions of older adults supports a thriving, age-inclusive society. This is something that CHF BC strives to do.
Award Details
The Century of Co-operation award recognizes the significant contributions of older adults in housing co-ops to both their communities and co-ops.
The award honours members of CHF BC member housing co-operative whose age plus years of living in housing co-operatives equals 100 years or more.
Here’s the formula: (Member’s age) + (length of time living in co-op housing, current co-op or other co-op) ≥100. For example, a person who is 80 years old and has lived in co-op housing for 20 years qualifies with an even 100 years.
We have recognized 374 members for this award since 2011.
Nominate Someone
Are you eligible for this year’s Century of Co-operation Award? Do you know someone who is?
Please complete the form at the link below to nominate someone—including yourself—for this award.
Submit a separate form for each member that you are nominating.
Resources for Seniors
We’ve compiled some key resources to help you age in place or support an aging neighbour.
Advance Care Planning
Many older co-op members understand they should prepare for their future in case of failing health. This is considered advance care planning.
Recording wishes and choosing advocates can be confusing and complicated, often resulting in the elder being unprepared for later medical events. Experts recommend writing down your wishes and choosing which legal documents you may need such as a will, power of attorney or representation agreement.
The provincial government offers an Advance Care Planning Guide.
Read More
Health and Home Care Services
Often older adults or their caregivers find navigating our healthcare system difficult and confusing.
You can learn how to access home healthcare services through a case manager, or if in hospital, through a social worker.
You can find more information about free and subsidized care services through the Health Authorities, the Better at Home program and the Choice in Supports for Independent Living option.
Better at Home Program
Choice in Supports for Independent Living
Transportation Services
Getting around, especially for seniors with health and mobility issues, can be a daunting challenge.
The provincially run Better at Home program offers subsidized driving and light housekeeping services. Those with incomes under $30,000 receive a pro-rated reduced rate.
Learn More at Better at Home
Many BC communities offer a variety of seniors’ bus programs which are free or low-cost, as does TransLink BC with its HandyCard and TaxiSaver vouchers. For those undergoing cancer treatments, the Freemasons run a Cancer-Car program. Another door-to-door regional service is HandyDART.
Learn more about TransLink BC
If you or someone you know is driving and may be a danger to themselves or others, provincial resources are available.
Learn More about Road Safety for Seniors
Aging in Place Exchange Network
CHF Canada’s Aging in Place Exchange Network is a national online network that mobilizes a diverse range of co-op housing leaders with interest and expertise in aging in place including lived experience.
The network’s online platform is a place to share initiatives, knowledge, practices and experiences of aging in place among housing co-op members from regions across Canada.
The Exchange Network uses an online community platform.
This platform helps interested co-operators connect with each other between network events to share information and experiences about aging in place in co-op housing communities. The network also hosts online events such as presentations, group discussions and workshops.
The Aging in Place Exchange Network is open to all members, directors and employees of CHF Canada’s members including housing co-operatives, regional federations and property management companies. The network is an invitation-only network.
Anyone interested in joining the network must email CHF Canada.