‘We medicalize aging’: The case for meeting seniors’ home care needs
- Meagan Gillmore
- Jul 12
- 1 min read
Thousands of Canada’s oldest seniors have unmet home care needs, making it difficult for them to stay healthy and remain in their homes
by Meagan Gillmore July 9, 2025
Susan Hagar hears daily from seniors who need help living at home. When she asks if they have home care, most say no.
“Living at home and living independently is the goal for people,” said Hagar, who has more than 40 years of nursing experience. “However, our system isn’t set up to support people as much as they need.”
Hagar is the founder of Nurse on Board, a company that helps seniors and their families navigate the health-care system. She regularly sees people’s physical and mental health improve when they receive home care, which is care typically provided by nurses or personal support workers, rather than relatives or friends.
But the obstacles to getting home care are numerous. “[The system is] in such bad shape,” Hagar said.
