Nova Scotia’s population is aging. How are we preparing for the needs of seniors?
In the past five years, Nova Scotia has experienced significant population growth, including growth across several key demographics. “We know that Nova Scotia has a large and growing population of people aged 65 and over,” says the Honourable Barbara Adams, Minister of Seniors and Long-Term Care. “There are almost 21,000 more seniors in Nova Scotia now than when I became Minister of Seniors and Long-Term Care in 2021—growing from about 218,000 then to almost 239,000 in July 2024.”
This growth is expected to continue. “The latest Statistics Canada data from last July show that seniors make up 22.2 per cent of Nova Scotia’s population and 18.9 per cent of Canada’s population,” says Minister Adams. “Here, in Nova Scotia, the percentage of seniors is expected to grow to 25 per cent by 2032. We are planning for our seniors’ population and anticipated growth in the coming years so that we are prepared to meet the needs of our aging population now and in the future.”
Aging in place
One of the ways the government plans to meet the needs of seniors is by supporting their ability to age in their homes and communities. “Our government is committed to helping seniors stay at home as long as possible by making the care they need available,” says Minister Adams. “Older Nova Scotians contribute greatly to our province and many are active, vibrant members of their communities. Every day, we work to make sure they have access to the supports, services and resources they need, when they need them.”
Minister Adams highlights programs like CAPABLE (Community Aging in Place, Advancing Better Living for Elders), which helps seniors make minor modifications to help them live independently at home, as well as activities and programs offered through the Centres for Rural Aging and Health and community groups that receive Age-Friendly Communities Grants, which help seniors stay active and socially connected in their communities.
Cindy MacQuarrie, RN PhD is Chief Nursing Officer at VON Canada and knows the benefits of these programs first-hand. “CAPABLE is an example of an evidence-based program that increases clients’ quality of life, safety and independence at home,” says MacQuarrie. “The CAPABLE team consists of a nurse, an occupational therapist and a handyworker, who together work with clients over a period of time and set goals that lead to enhanced independence. Clients learn new skills and exercises and benefit from home adaptations that increase safety. CAPABLE was developed by Johns Hopkins School of Nursing, and Nova Scotia was the first jurisdiction to implement it outside of the United States. VON is very pleased to be able to deliver this program to our clients.”
VON offers a wide variety of programs and services in the province. “Our nurses, continuing care assistants, therapists and other healthcare providers deliver care and services that offer clinical, personal, and social support in homes and communities across Nova Scotia,” says MacQuarrie.
This variety helps the organization promote a whole-body approach to healthcare. “At VON, we want to empower people to increase control over their health and its determinants through health literacy efforts and multisectoral action to increase healthy behaviours,” says MacQuarrie. “This process includes activities for the community-at-large, for populations at increased risk of negative health outcomes, and with individuals and families. Additionally, we recognize the importance of health equity when developing health and wellness programs for vulnerable and under-resourced populations.”
Living spaces
Minister Adams points out the progress that has been made when it comes to supporting seniors in Nova Scotia. Seniors in provincial long-term care homes are provided with an average of 4.1 hours of care per day—the highest average in the country. “Three of the more than 50 new and replacement long-term care homes being built across the province by 2032 are now open and four more are expected to open this coming year,” adds Minister Adams. “Of the 5,700 new, single long-term care rooms we are adding and replacing by 2032, 500 are now open and another 2,100 rooms are now under construction.”
Mahmood Hussain, Director of People Relations at GEM Health Care Group, affirms these recent measures of progress. “With population growth, shifts in age demographics, and advancements in how long-term care is provided, there have been many changes in our sector over the past five years,” says Hussain. “The Government of Nova Scotia has announced significant investments in long-term care, and we at GEM are proud to be a partner with them to ensure our residents and fellow Nova Scotians are cared for in inviting, safe, state-of-the-art facilities.”
GEM Health Care Group was founded by Hussain’s parents, Syed and Gloria Hussain, in 1979. “The story of GEM Health Care is one of hard work, determination, and the immigrant dream, where anyone can come to this country, build a successful business, support their family and their employees, and in turn give back to their community,” says Hussain. “In this role, I have advocated for the local and internationally educated caregivers and nurses in our sector and collaborated with our government partners to ensure the best care is delivered to Nova Scotian seniors.”
Demographic shifts have presented challenges as well as opportunities for Hussain. “We are blessed to live in a friendly and welcoming province that is growing by leaps and bounds,” he says. “With that growth comes opportunities but also challenges. Ensuring stable employee streams for both healthcare workers in our long-term care facilities and skilled tradespeople that we rely on to construct or upgrade our facilities has been challenging, but it is something that we have been able to overcome with support from our provincial government and innovative and proactive recruitment activities.”
Jason Shannon, President of Shannex, echoes Hussain’s emphasis on collaborative partnerships. “With support from the Province of Nova Scotia, sector partners, and others, older Nova Scotians now have more options than ever to live with dignity and respect in safe, inclusive communities with lots of options to connect with others, grow intellectually and physically, and thrive—places where age is just one of many defining characteristics of a person,” he says.
Shannex was founded 37 years ago when Shannon’s father, Joseph Shannon purchased a nursing home in Sydney. “He quickly saw that there was a need to significantly improve the quality of care for older adults, and we’ve stayed focused on this vision since the beginning,” says Shannon. “Today, Shannex designs, constructs, and operates a full continuum of service through apartments for older adults, all-inclusive retirement living, assisted living, memory care, licensed long-term care, and home care.”
While their vision and core business remain the same, the organization is evolving to meet the changing needs of seniors in Nova Scotia. “People are living longer and the idea that people ‘retire’ from life at a specific age is outdated,” says Shannon. “We want to adapt, innovate, and embrace the possibilities that come with an aging population—matching health span to life span. This means we have to appreciate that true well-being encompasses more than just physical health—it’s about nurturing all aspects of a person’s life.”
Shannex is demonstrating this commitment through a number of design and care innovations introduced in the province recently. “Our new nursing homes feature built-in ‘Main Streets’ to promote walking, socializing, activities for residents, and welcoming spaces for visitors and members of the greater community,” says Shannon.
Bloomsbury is an example of Shannex’s approach to creating longevity-focused communities. Located in Bedford, Nova Scotia, this groundbreaking new development blends social, retail, health, wellness, and dining amenities within a residential setting. “The vision was to create a community that aligns with Canada’s evolving demographics and the lifestyle priorities of Canadians,” Shannon explains. “We’re excited to see the first Allbright Residence open in Bloomsbury this fall.”
Seniors in business
Even post-retirement, seniors have the potential to create big impact in the business community. “Seniors across our province have a wealth of experience and knowledge that can benefit younger generations, workplaces, businesses, communities and more—regardless of whether it is as a business owner, employee, volunteer, citizen, or mentor,” says Minister Adams. “I encourage all Nova Scotians to reach out to seniors in their lives and communities and appreciate all they can offer.”
Ed Leach, President of the not-for-profit Aging Pro Actively, is an experienced entrepreneur with a passion for changing the narrative about older adults in the workplace. “People who are 65 or older now represent the fastest-growing segment of the labour force,” says Leach. “Feeling ‘useful’ is more important to them than feeling ‘youthful,’ and working longer can make them feel both. If ‘retirement’ means completely ceasing work and devoting two or more decades to 24/7 leisure, it’s increasingly impractical, unappealing, and obsolete.”
Leach argues that when seniors can earnestly re-enter the workplace, everyone benefits. “Nova Scotians want to age in place surrounded by friends, family and community,” says Leach. “Our project will generate incremental economic activity for the province by addressing the current labour shortage; elevate age as one of the elements of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; diminish the level of financial insecurity for older adults; and extend the health span by providing a sense of purpose and retention of social connections.”
Darlene Grant Fiander, President of the Tourism Industry Association of Nova Scotia, agrees with Leach. “In a province where over 22% of the population is aged 65 and older, tourism operators recognize the important role of this demographic in their workforce,” says Grant Fiander. “Mature workers offer a range of relevant transferable skills and life experiences that add great value to businesses, and tourism employment fits the needs of these individuals, offering flexible opportunities that align with their interests or hobbies and meaningful connections to the community.”
Cheryl Nickerson LPN has been a nurse for 30 years and is now a Workforce Consultant for the Health and Community Care Workforce Sector Council. She values the wisdom she has gained in working with senior mentors. “I have been truly grateful to turn to my senior colleagues,” says Nickerson. “The transfer of knowledge has been a saving grace for me and the mentorship I have received I still carry with me. They knew me and they knew the job.”
Nickerson emphasizes the positive impact seniors can make in the workplace. “It motivates me to see seniors looking to re-enter the workforce because seniors have so much to give, their time and patience is beautiful to watch as they interact with others,” she says. “Seniors also understand that there is a life outside of work that requires balance—they can relate to challenges and obstacles and be a great asset and support system to their colleagues.”
Empathy and empowerment are key for Nickerson. “I would personally like to work as long as I can,” she says. “We all deserve to have autonomy in our decision to make a difference as we age.”
Empathy is also the driving force for Yvette Gagnon CDP, CEO and Founder of Comforting Companions Care Providers Inc., which specializes in companion care, dementia care consulting, education, and training.
Gagnon was inspired to create Comforting Companions 2014 after her personal experiences with a family member. “Having someone you love dearly live with a progressive illness is an incredibly powerful and emotional teacher,” says Gagnon. “This experience of partnering in their journey showed me the need to care for others on an emotional level, where so often the focus is on physical care. This revelation of how prevalent dementia is in our society had me looking for more information to better understand how it affects others and those who care for them.”
There are many ways employers can develop age-friendly business practices. “Caregivers who are trying to balance work and other responsibilities need understanding and flexibility in the workplace while they look after the changing needs of those they care for,” she says. “From a customer perspective, training staff to understand the unique needs of our aging population—and the many challenges that they may be facing—gives staff members more empathy and patience.”
Gagnon urges everyone in the business community (and beyond) to approach daily living with a sense of curiosity and patience. “Compassion is a simple act but one that can help remind others that they are not alone on their journey,” she says. “That is something that can be given freely at any time, by any of us.”
Header Image: Seniors and Long-Term Care Minister Barbara Adams plants a tomato plant at the announcement of the recipients of Age-Friendly Communities grants with staff at the Bluenose Coastal Action Foundation in June 2024. The Mahone Bay foundation was one of 44 community organizations that received grants to help seniors live healthy, active lives last year. Its community garden project brought local seniors and youth together to help address food insecurity by growing, harvesting and donating produce to local food banks.
