Canadian Seniors Enjoy Their Independence

Toronto, ON - Canadian seniors are not fond of the prospect of ending up in a nursing home and would do whatever it took to avoid moving to a facility of this sort, according to the results of a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of Bayshore. When asked whether they would attempt to live independently (that is, outside of a nursing home facility), 95% of seniors (defined as those between the age 65 and 85) suggested they would. In addition, nine in ten (70% strongly, 18% somewhat) said they would do everything they could to avoid moving into a nursing home/extended care facility. On the other hand, more than nine in ten (83% strongly, 13% somewhat) said they would prefer to live independently in their own home with some assistance (if needed) as opposed to living in a nursing home or extended care facility.

Despite these feelings, it is clear that the majority of seniors have not put much thought into how to extend their independence. More than half the population (54%) said they had not researched ways in which they could help themselves live independently at home. In addition, four in ten (40%) said they have not made modifications to their home to ensure it is a safe environment.

While seniors were not overjoyed at the prospect of living in a nursing facility, three in ten (29%) agreed that while they don't need homecare, it might be nice to have someone come from time to time to check in on them. This makes sense as one in ten (14%) agreed that they had mobility issues which made in difficult for them to get out of the house and another one in ten (8%) said they require assistance with meal preparation.

These are the findings of an Ipsos Reid poll conducted for Bayshore Home Health from February 10 to February 17, 2009. The poll was conducted via telephone among 1000 adult Canadians between the ages of 65 and 85 inclusive and 1001 adult Canadians between the ages of 40 and 64 inclusive. For each sample group the margin of error is +/- 3.1% 19 times out of 20, of what the results would have been had the entire population of adults aged 40 to 64 and 65 to 85 in Canada been interviewed.

For more information on this news release, please contact:
Sean Simpson
Research Manager
Ipsos Reid
Public Affairs
(416) 572-4474
[email protected]

About Ipsos Reid
Ipsos Reid is Canada's market intelligence leader, the country's leading provider of public opinion research, and research partner for loyalty and forecasting and modelling insights. With operations in eight cities, Ipsos Reid employs more than 600 research professionals and support staff in Canada. The company has the biggest network of telephone call centres in the country, as well as the largest pre-recruited household and online panels. Ipsos Reid's marketing research and public affairs practices offer the premier suite of research vehicles in Canada, all of which provide clients with actionable and relevant information. Staffed with seasoned research consultants with extensive industry-specific backgrounds, Ipsos Reid offers syndicated information or custom solutions across key sectors of the Canadian economy, including consumer packaged goods, financial services, automotive, retail, and technology & telecommunications. Ipsos Reid is an Ipsos company, a leading global survey-based market research group.

To learn more, please visit www.ipsos.ca.

About Ipsos

Ipsos is a leading global survey-based market research company, owned and managed by research professionals. Ipsos helps interpret, simulate, and anticipate the needs and responses of consumers, customers, and citizens around the world.

Member companies assess market potential and interpret market trends. They develop and build brands. They help clients build long-term relationships with their customers. They test advertising and study audience responses to various media. They measure public opinion around the globe.

Ipsos member companies offer expertise in advertising, customer loyalty, marketing, media, and public affairs research, as well as forecasting, modeling, and consulting. Ipsos has a full line of custom, syndicated, omnibus, panel, and online research products and services, guided by industry experts and bolstered by advanced analytics and methodologies. The company was founded in 1975 and has been publicly traded since 1999.

In 2008, Ipsos generated global revenues of e979.3 million ($1.34 billion U.S.).

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