Huron Survey: Launch of aging in place

By: Alexa Hugill

Gateway Centre of Excellence in Rural Health (CERH) is inviting adults aged 55 and older living independently in Huron County to participate in the Aging in Place – Huron Survey, a new pilot research initiative designed to better understand the experiences, needs, and priorities of older adults in the community.

As Huron County's population continues to age, more people wish to remain in their own homes and communities for as long as possible. However, the ability to age in place is influenced by many factors, including access to healthcare, transportation, social connections, housing, technology, and mobility.

Understanding these experiences is essential to ensuring that rural communities can continue to support healthy, independent ageing.

The Aging in Place - Huron pilot program was inspired by the World Health Organization's Integrated Care for Older People (ICOPE) framework, which recognizes that healthy ageing extends beyond medical care.

The framework focuses on helping people stay healthy and independent by supporting key areas like mobility, cognition, vision, hearing, nutrition, and emotional health. It also considers support in a person’s environment and community that helps them stay connected and live independently.

By adopting this holistic approach, Gateway CERH aims to better understand the realities of ageing in Huron County and identify opportunities to support older adults in living healthier, more independent lives.

The Aging in Place – Huron survey will gather information directly from older adults about their daily experiences, the challenges they face, the support they currently use, and the services they would like to see available in their communities.

The findings will help inform Gateway CERH's future research while contributing to a stronger understanding of the needs of older adults across Huron County.

The information collected will also help identify opportunities to provide new initiatives and support that enable people to remain healthy, independent, and connected as they age.

Participation in the survey is voluntary, and all responses will remain confidential. The survey is open to adults aged 55 years and older who live in Huron County.

Gateway CERH encourages all eligible residents to participate and invites family members, caregivers, community organizations, and local partners to help share the survey throughout the county.

Your voice has an impact in Huron County. By participating, you are helping to fuel important research that can help create a healthier, age-friendly community in the future.

For more information about Aging in Place - Huron, please visit https://www.gatewayruralhealth.ca/aging-in-place-huron

For more information, contact: Gateway Centre of Excellence in Rural Health at info@gatewayruralhealth.ca or 519-612-1053.