CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. - On National Seniors Day, Oct. 1, older adults at nine sites in seven provinces got hands-on demonstrations of technology designed to help them age at home. Chris Blodgett, 70, came to the AGE-WELL showcase at the University of Prince Edward Island in Charlottetown to learn as much as he could. Having seen his aging parents struggle at times, he’s planning ahead. In addition to staying active, he built his home with retirement in mind, including doorways wide enough for a wheelchair and modifications to the shower, hoping to stay there well into his 80s. “I don’t want to put any burden on our children,” he said. “It’s like a big game. I’m getting ready for the big game and this is all training.” Among the devices on display was the Raymex Lift, which doubles as a walker. Its powered seat lowers to the floor, allowing someone with enough upper-body strength to pull themselves onto it and be raised back up after a fall. The price tag quoted at the demonstration was $5,300. “It sounds like a lot of money.” said Alida Love, an occupational therapist, after watching the demonstration. “However, it could really make a difference in someone being able to remain at home.” She added that insurance programs may help cover some of the cost. Another device, the Victor smart cane from Amptek Technologies, has a light for walking in the dark and a panic button that sounds an alarm. It can also notify contacts through an app when the button is activated or when it detects a fall and isn’t returned upright within 15 seconds, according to the manufacturer. On P.E.I., more than one in five residents are 65 and older, according to Statistics Canada. Staying at home longer can be better for older adults, says Anja Salijevic, a research co-ordinator with UPEI’s Health Research Network. Her grandmother spent the last couple of years of her life in long-term care. Limited English made it difficult for her to navigate life there, and she experienced loneliness, Salijevic said. “I think if my grandmother would have been able to stay at home, it would have increased her span of life, and quality of life as well.” Advocates also say bringing the services and programs older adults need into their homes could also take pressure off the strained long-term care system. “They call it broken,” said Olive Bryanton, 89, who serves on AGE-WELL’s advisory committee for older adults and caregivers. “Well, who broke it? It’s not the older people.” Bryanton graduated from UPEI with her Ph.D. in 2019. Her research explored what women aged 85 and older living in rural communities need to age in place. She says the long-term care system has not changed to meet the needs of the province’s population. Now, she’s focused on challenging ageism, from internalized stereotypes to systemic barriers that prevent older people from living the way they want to. “Older people are not a drain on society. They give back a lot,” she said. “We never hear about the over 90 per cent who are in our community doing good things.”
