Resident who rarely leave their rooms, a family told “we don’t have the staff,” a person dying in hospital less than a day after leaving their long-term care (LTC) home: these are some of the bleak realities too many Canadians and their loved ones face as they age.

These heartbreaking realities were shared with the Canadian Institute for Health Information through unpublished surveys of families and LTC staff about aging with dignity.

Moments of lost dignity are not invisible to the health system. But historically, a lopsided focus on clinical indicators left data gaps in our ability to measure and understand lived experience, and ultimately dignity, alongside clinical risks. This is something health-system leaders, clinicians and families are actively striving to change.

What is aging with dignity?

Over the next two decades, the number of Canadians aged 85 and older is expected to triple. This demographic shift will transform who needs care, who provides it, and how and where care is delivered.

Canada is expected to become a “super-aged nation” in 2026, with one in five people aged 65 or over. To put effective supports into place, we need to ask: What does aging with dignity mean to Canadians?

For many, aging with dignity means autonomy, respect and purpose. Older adults want to be valued for their individuality, life experience and ongoing contributions. This doesn’t change whether someone lives independently, receives home care or resides in LTC.

Thinking about preserving dignity as one ages and what life might look like as an older adult can feel daunting, and like something that can be avoided for a........

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