Housing Canada's Oldest-Old: Correlates of Their Residential Status

The authors examined determinants that contribute to keeping Canada's oldest-old (those 85 years and older) living in their own homes by focusing on determinants associated with living in certain types of homes. Multivariate logistic regression was done on a sample of 722 community dwellers aged 85 years and older from the 2001 Participation and Activity Limitation Survey. It was found that gender, marital status, and financial status determine residential status of the oldest-old and that high and low levels of mobility and instrumental activities of daily living foster community living. Previous findings suggest a trajectory of social exclusion (from house to apartment to facility). The current study shows the oldest old as socially stable, living in their homes. New policies to support their residential status and modifications to old policies are critical.