Living Alone In Canada

The 2016 Census revealed that more Canadians are living alone than ever before. At the time of Confederation, most households were family households and few people lived alone. By 1951, 7.4 percent of households consisted of just one person. Today, the numbers look much different. One-person households now make up 28.2 percent of Canada’s households.

This trend isn’t just happening in Canada. People in the United States, the United Kingdom, France, and other developed countries are increasingly living alone. Why are so many people living alone these days, and why does it matter?

Why More People Are Living Alone

There are many factors that are contributing to this trend. In the past, people weren’t able to be as economically independent as

In Canada, there are now 5.9 million Canadian seniors, which means there are more seniors than children in the country. This demographic change is due to an increasing life expectancy and the aging of the large baby boomer generation. When compared to other age groups, seniors are more likely to live alone.

Potential Consequences of Solo Living

While some people prefer living alone, this arrangement can have consequences for seniors. Those seniors who don’t have a network of friends or family members can become isolated and lonely. Other seniors may have difficulty leaving their homes to visit their friends and family members who live elsewhere.

An English survey revealed that many seniors are alone for days or even weeks at a time. Among adults 75 and older, one-fifth see a visitor less often than once a week. One-tenth of seniors in that age group report seeing a visitor less than once a month. This can contribute to senior loneliness.

Loneliness is a big problem on its own, but it’s not the only potential consequence of living alone for seniors. When seniors live with other people, they may have a support network to look after them and ensure they’re safe. Seniors who live alone may have no one to turn to if they experience a health problem or need help with their daily