2011 FDR - Section 4: Participation in everyday life
Social participation is an important part of people's lives. The benefits of social participation include improved quality of life and personal well-being. Interacting with other people in the community is essential for independent and active living.
Both personal and environmental factors can have a positive impact on social participation. Accessible transportation, availability of disability aids, devices and home modifications and meaningful employment all play an important role in fostering inclusion and developing social networks.
Life changes, such as transitioning from work to retirement, can potentially disrupt social participation. Those with social connections at work may lose those networks when entering retirement. To maintain their quality of life, seniors may seek support groups, or engage in part-time or volunteer work to be involved in their community and meet new people. Whether by means of volunteering, employment or everyday interaction, seniors with disabilities can remain active and be included in community functions.
Social isolation of seniors and of those with disabilities can have negative effects on health and overall well-being. Seniors with disabilities may need special accommodations, such as in the areas of employment or transportation, so that they are able to participate in social activities.
Data in this section come from the 2008 Survey of Labour and Income Dynamics (SLID), the 2008 General Social Survey, Social Networks (GSS) and the 2006 Participation and Activity Limitation Survey (PALS).
Disability aids and devices
Sixty-seven percent of seniors with disabilities require aids and devices.
Seniors with mobility, seeing and pain disabilities are most likely to require aids and devices for everyday living. As shown in Figure 4.1, seniors with hearing disabilities are the most likely to have unmet needs (20 percent) followed by seniors with mobility disabilities (10 percent) and seniors with seeing disabilities (7 percent).
| Type of disability | Number of seniors with disabilities | Number of seniors with unmet needs for aids and devices | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mobility | 1 342 230 | 130 240 | 10 |
| Agility | 1 281 850 | 56 740 | 4 |
| Pain | 1 135 770 | 54 410 | 5 |
| Hearing | 735 300 | 145 530 | 20 |
| Seeing | 367 730 | 26 480 | 7 |
| Communication | 143 390 | 4 260 | 3 |
| Learning | 100 660 | 4 260 | 4 |
Figure 4.1 Text Description
This table presents data from the 2006 Participation and Activity Limitation Survey. It presents the disability type (in rows), the number of seniors with disabilities and number of seniors with unmet needs for aids and devices (in columns), in number and by percentage.
The columns are divided into the following sections from left to right:
- Type of disability
- Number of seniors with disabilities
- Number of seniors with unmet needs for aids and devices
- Percentage (%)
Rows list the disability type.
For mobility disabilities
- 1,342,230 seniors have mobility disabilities.
- 130,240 seniors with mobility disabilities have unmet needs for aids and devices.
- 10 percent of seniors with mobility disabilities have unmet needs.
For agility disabilities
- 1,281,850 seniors have agility disabilities.
- 56,740 seniors with agility disabilities have unmet needs for aids and devices
- 4 percent of seniors with agility disabilities have unmet needs.
For pain disabilities
- 1,135,770 seniors have pain disabilities.
- 54,410 seniors with pain disabilities have unmet needs for aids and devices.
- 5 percent of seniors with pain disabilities have unmet needs.
For hearing disabilities
- 735,300 seniors have hearing disabilities.
- 145,530 seniors with hearing disabilities have unmet needs for aids and devices.
- 20 percent of seniors with hearing disabilities have unmet needs.
For seeing disabilities
- 367,730 seniors have seeing disabilities.
- 26,480 seniors with seeing disabilities have unmet needs.
- 7 percent of seniors with seeing disabilities have unmet needs.
For communication disabilities
- 143,390 seniors have communication disabilities.
- 4,260 seniors with communication disabilities have unmet needs.
- 3 percent of seniors with communication disabilities have unmet needs.
For learning disabilities
- 100,660 seniors have learning disabilities.
- 4,260 seniors with learning disabilities have unmet needs.
- 4 percent of seniors with learning disabilities have unmet needs.
Source: 2006 Participation and Activity Limitation Survey
Home modifications
Fourteen percent of seniors with disabilities have home modifications.
In addition to aids and devices, seniors with disabilities often require modifications to their homes so that they can feel safer and live more independently. Approximately 18 percent of seniors with disabilities aged 75 and over have some type of home modification because of their condition. In contrast, only 8 percent of younger seniors (aged 65 to 74) have home modifications.
Figure 4.2 shows the different types of home modifications that seniors use on a day-to-day basis. For all senior age groups, grab bars in the bathroom are found to be the most frequent modification for seniors' accessibility. Older seniors (75 and over) rely more on elevator or lift devices in their homes, while older Canadians (55 to 64) are more likely to have ramps installed.
| Type of home modifications | Age group | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 55 to 64 | 65 to 74 | 75 and over | 65 and over | |
| Ramps | 59 | 46 | 40 | 41 |
| Street level entrances | 55 | 60 | 64 | 63 |
| Automatic doors | 25 | 34 | 40 | 38 |
| Easy to open doors (including lever handles) | 42 | 60 | 56 | 57 |
| Widened doorways or hallways | 38 | 45 | 42 | 43 |
| Elevator or lift device | 53 | 57 | 73 | 69 |
| Visual alarms or audio warning devices | 14 | 25 | 27 | 27 |
| Grab bars (in the bathroom) | 64 | 67 | 84 | 80 |
| A bath lift | 9 | 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Lowered counters in the kitchen | 9 | 6 | 7 | 7 |
| Other | 14 | 13 | 6 | 8 |
Figure 4.2 Text Description
This table presents data from the 2006 Participation and Activity Limitation Survey. It illustrates the type of home modifications (in rows) for older Canadians and seniors with disabilities by age group (in columns) by percentage.
Columns are divided into the following age group sections from left to right:
- 55 to 64
- 65 to 74
- 75 to 84
- 85 and over
Rows describe the type of home modification found in residences for seniors with disabilities. Note: percentages include only those who have home modifications.
For the 55 to 64 age group
- 59 percent with disabilities have ramps in their residence.
- 55 percent with disabilities have street level entrances in their residence.
- 25 percent with disabilities have automatic doors in their residence.
- 42 percent with disabilities have easy-to-open doors (including lever handles) in their residence.
- 38 percent with disabilities have widened doors or hallways in their residence.
- 53 percent with disabilities have elevators or lift devices in their residence.
- 14 percent with disabilities have visual alarms or audio warning devices in their residence.
- 64 percent with disabilities have grab bars (in the bathroom) in their residence.
- 9 percent with disabilities have a bath lift in their residence.
- 9 percent with disabilities have lowered counters in the kitchen in their residence.
- 14 percent with disabilities have other accessibility features in their residence.
For the 65 to 74 age group
- 46 percent with disabilities have ramps in their residence.
- 60 percent with disabilities have street level entrances in their residence.
- 34 percent with disabilities have automatic doors in their residence.
- 60 percent with disabilities have easy-to-open doors (including lever handles) in their residence.
- 45 percent with disabilities have widened doors or hallways in their residence.
- 57 percent with disabilities have elevators or lift devices in their residence.
- 25 percent with disabilities have visual alarms or audio warning devices in their residence.
- 67 percent with disabilities have grab bars (in the bathroom) in their residence.
- 2 percent with disabilities have a bath lift in their residence.
- 6 percent with disabilities have lowered counters in the kitchen in their residence.
- 13 percent with disabilities have other accessibility features in their residence.
For the 75 and over age group
- 40 percent with disabilities have ramps in their residence.
- 64 percent with disabilities have street level entrances in their residence.
- 40 percent with disabilities have automatic doors in their residence.
- 56 percent with disabilities have easy-to-open doors (including lever handles) in their residence.
- 42 percent with disabilities have widened doors or hallways in their residence.
- 73 percent with disabilities have elevators or lift devices in their residence.
- 27 percent with disabilities have visual alarms or audio warning devices in their residence.
- 84 percent with disabilities have grab bars (in the bathroom) in their residence.
- 8 percent with disabilities have a bath lift in their residence.
- 7 percent with disabilities have lowered counters in the kitchen in their residence.
- 6 percent with disabilities have other accessibility features in their residence.
For 65 and over
- 41 percent with disabilities have ramps in their residence.
- 63 percent with disabilities have street level entrances in their residence.
- 38 percent with disabilities have automatic doors in their residence.
- 57 percent with disabilities have easy-to-open doors (including lever handles) in their residence.
- 43 percent with disabilities have widened doors or hallways in their residence.
- 69 percent with disabilities have elevators or lift devices in their residence.
- 27 percent with disabilities have visual alarms or audio warning devices in their residence.
- 80 percent with disabilities have grab bars (in the bathroom) in their residence.
- 6 percent with disabilities have a bath lift in their residence.
- 7 percent with disabilities have lowered counters in the kitchen in their residence.
- 8 percent with disabilities have other accessibility features in their residence.
Source: 2006 Participation and Activity Limitation Survey
Note: Percentages include only those who have home modifications.
A small group of seniors with disabilities require accessibility features in their homes but do not have them: 6 percent of seniors aged 75 and over and 4 percent of seniors aged 65 to 74, for an overall total of 5 percent of all seniors with disabilities aged 65 and over.
In addition, 5 percent of seniors with disabilities have a hard time participating in activities they would like to (or need to) because the layout of their homes makes it very difficult. Figure 4.3 shows which types of activities are hard to do because of the layout or design of the home. Of all the activities made difficult because of the design of homes, seniors with disabilities have the most difficulty with: moving from floor to floor (57 percent), accessing the house through the front door (52 percent) and taking a bath (40 percent).
| Type of activity | Age group | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 55 to 64 | 65 to 74 | 75 and over | 65 and over | |
| Accessing the house through the front door | 42 | 60 | 46 | 52 |
| Accessing the backyard or balcony | 33 | 30 | 42 | 37 |
| Moving from room to room | 15 | 26 | 6 | 14 |
| Moving from floor to floor | 76 | 65 | 52 | 57 |
| Using the toilet | 26 | 35 | 28 | 31 |
| Taking a shower | 26 | 36 | 31 | 33 |
| Taking a bath | 34 | 47 | 36 | 40 |
| Preparing meals | 26 | 33 | 17 | 23 |
| Answering the door | 22 | 26 | 18 | 21 |
| Exiting in case of fire or other emergency | 31 | 37 | 28 | 32 |
| Other | 14 | 7 | 9 | 8 |
Figure 4.3 Text Description
This table presents data from the 2006 Participation and Activity Limitation Survey. It presents the type of activities that are made difficult to participate in (in rows) due to layout or design of residences for seniors with disabilities by age group (in columns), by percentage.
Columns are divided into the following age group sections from left to right:
- 55 to 64
- 65 to 74
- 75 and over
- 65 and over
Rows describe the type of activities that are made difficult to participate in due to layout or design of residences for seniors with disabilities. Note: Percentages include only those who have home modifications.
For the 55 to 64 age group
- 42 percent with disabilities have difficulty accessing the house through the front door due to the layout or design of their residence.
- 33 percent with disabilities have difficulty accessing the backyard or balcony due to the layout or design of their residence.
- 15 percent with disabilities have difficulty moving from room to room due to the layout or design of their residence.
- 76 percent with disabilities have difficulty moving from floor to floor due to the layout or design of their residence.
- 26 percent with disabilities have difficulty using the toilet due to the layout or design of their residence.
- 26 percent with disabilities have difficulty taking a shower due to the layout or design of their residence.
- 34 percent with disabilities have difficulty taking a bath due to the layout or design of their residence.
- 26 percent with disabilities have difficulty preparing meals due to the layout or design of their residence.
- 22 percent with disabilities have difficulty answering the door due to the layout or design of their residence.
- 31 percent with disabilities have difficulty exiting in case of fire or another emergency due to the layout or design of their residence.
- 14 percent with disabilities have difficulty with other activities due to the layout or design of their residence.
For the 65 to 74 age group
- 60 percent with disabilities have difficulty accessing the house through the front door due to the layout or design of their residence.
- 30 percent with disabilities have difficulty accessing the backyard or balcony due to the layout or design of their residence.
- 26 percent with disabilities have difficulty moving from room to room due to the layout or design of their residence.
- 65 percent with disabilities have difficulty moving from floor to floor due to the layout or design of their residence.
- 35 percent with disabilities have difficulty using the toilet due to the layout or design of their residence.
- 36 percent with disabilities have difficulty taking a shower due to the layout or design of their residence.
- 47 percent with disabilities have difficulty taking a bath due to the layout or design of their residence.
- 33 percent with disabilities have difficulty preparing meals due to the layout or design of their residence.
- 26 percent with disabilities have difficulty answering the door due to the layout or design of their residence.
- 37 percent with disabilities have difficulty exiting in case of fire or another emergency due to the layout or design of their residence.
- 7 percent with disabilities have difficulty with other activities due to the layout or design of their residence.
For the 75 and over age group
- 46 percent with disabilities have difficulty accessing the house through the front door due to the layout or design of their residence.
- 42 percent with disabilities have difficulty accessing the backyard or balcony due to the layout or design of their residence.
- 6 percent with disabilities have difficulty moving from room to room due to the layout or design of their residence.
- 52 percent with disabilities have difficulty moving from floor to floor due to the layout or design of their residence.
- 28 percent with disabilities have difficulty using the toilet due to the layout or design of their residence.
- 31 percent with disabilities have difficulty taking a shower due to the layout or design of their residence.
- 36 percent with disabilities have difficulty taking a bath due to the layout or design of their residence.
- 17 percent with disabilities have difficulty preparing meals due to the layout or design of their residence.
- 18 percent with disabilities have difficulty answering the door due to the layout or design of their residence.
- 28 percent with disabilities have difficulty exiting in case of fire or another emergency due to the layout or design of their residence.
- 9 percent with disabilities have difficulty with other activities due to the layout or design of their residence.
For the 65 and over age group
- 52 percent with disabilities have difficulty accessing the house through the front door due to the layout or design of their residence.
- 37 percent with disabilities have difficulty accessing the backyard or balcony due to the layout or design of their residence.
- 14 percent with disabilities have difficulty moving from room to room due to the layout or design of their residence.
- 57 percent with disabilities have difficulty moving from floor to floor due to the layout or design of their residence.
- 31 percent with disabilities have difficulty using the toilet due to the layout or design of their residence.
- 33 percent with disabilities have difficulty taking a shower due to the layout or design of their residence.
- 40 percent with disabilities have difficulty taking a bath due to the layout or design of their residence.
- 23 percent with disabilities have difficulty preparing meals due to the layout or design of their residence.
- 21 percent with disabilities have difficulty answering the door due to the layout or design of their residence.
- 32 percent with disabilities have difficulty exiting in case of fire or another emergency due to the layout or design of their residence.
- 8 percent with disabilities have difficulty with other activities due to the layout or design of their residence.
Source: 2006 Participation and Activity Limitation Survey
Note: These numbers include only those who have home modifications.
Employment
Thirteen percent of seniors with disabilities aged 65 to 69 are employed year-round.
Note: The information presented in this subsection relates to older working age adults aged 55 to 64 and seniors aged 65 to 69. The survey that collected the information asked employment-related questions to people up to 69 years of age. No employment-related questions were asked of seniors aged 70 and over.
While most seniors in Canada are retired, some continue to work past the traditional retirement age of 65. Seniors with disabilities who continue in the labour force can sometimes encounter barriers and challenges in the workplace that can limit their employment opportunities.
Figures 4.4 and 4.5 present the labour force status for Canadians aged 55 to 69 by disability status and age group. People with disabilities are generally much less likely to be employed than people without disabilities. Despite this, there is a sizable proportion of seniors with disabilities aged 65 to 69 who are employed throughout the year (13 percent). People with disabilities are also more likely to not be in the labour force. For example, 64 percent of seniors aged 60 to 64 with disabilities are not in the labour force, compared to 41 percent of seniors aged 60 to 64 without disabilities.
Figure 4.4 Labour force status for older Canadians and seniors with disabilities, by age group (%), 2008
Figure 4.4 Text Description
This vertical bar graph presents data from the 2008 Survey of Labour and Income Dynamics. It describes the labour force status by age group on the horizontal axis by the percentage of the population of older Canadians and seniors with disabilities.
The labour force status by age group is divided into 4 main groupings: employed all year; unemployed all year; not in the labour force all year; employed, unemployed or not in the labour force part of the year. Within each grouping, there are 3 age subgroups from left to right. They are ages:
- 55 to 59
- 60 to 64
- 65 to 69
For the "Employed all year" grouping:
- 41 percent of older Canadians with disabilities in the 55 to 59 age group are employed all year long
- 26 percent of older Canadians with disabilities in the 60 to 64 age group are employed all year long
- 13 percent of seniors with disabilities in the 65 to 69 age group are employed all year long
For the "Unemployed all year" grouping:
- 2 percent of older Canadians with disabilities in the 55 to 59 age group are unemployed all year long.
- 1 percent of older Canadians with disabilities in the 60 to 64 age group are unemployed all year long.
- 1 percent of seniors with disabilities in the 65 to 69 age group are unemployed all year long.
For the "Not in the labour force all year" grouping:
- 44 percent of older Canadians with disabilities in the 55 to 59 age group are not in the labour force all year long.
- 64 percent of older Canadians with disabilities in the 60 to 64 age group are not in the labour force all year long.
- 80 percent of seniors with disabilities in the 65 to 69 age group are not in the labour force all year long.
For the "Employed, unemployed or not in the labour force part of the year" grouping:
- 14 percent of older Canadians with disabilities in the 55 to 59 age group are employed part year, unemployed part year, and not in the labour force part year.
- 9 percent of older Canadians with disabilities in the 60 to 64 age group are employed part year, unemployed part year, and not in the labour force part year.
- 7 percent of seniors with disabilities in the 65 to 69 age group are employed part year, unemployed part year, and not in the labour force part year.
Source: 2008 Survey of Labour and Income Dynamics
Figure 4.5 Labour force status for older Canadians and seniors without disabilities, by age group (%), 2008
Figure 4.5 Text Description
This vertical bar graph presents data from the 2008 Survey of Income and Labour Dynamics. It describes the labour force status by age group on the horizontal axis by percentage of the population of older Canadians and seniors without disabilities on the vertical axis.
This vertical bar graph is divided into 4 main groupings: employed all year; unemployed all year; not in the labour force all year; employed, unemployed or not in the labour force part of the year. Within each grouping, there are 3 age subgroups from left to right. They are ages:
- 55 to 59
- 60 to 64
- 65 to 69
For the "Employed all year" grouping:
- 70 percent of older Canadians without disabilities in the 55 to 59 age group are employed all year long;
- 46 percent of older Canadians without disabilities in the 60 to 64 age group are employed all year long;
- 22 percent of seniors without disabilities in the 65 to 69 age group are employed all year long
For the "Unemployed all year" grouping:
- 1 percent of older Canadians without disabilities in the 55 to 59 age group are unemployed all year long.
- 1 percent of older Canadians without disabilities in the 60 to 64 age group are unemployed all year long.
- 1 percent of seniors without disabilities in the 65 to 69 age group are unemployed all year long.
For the "Not in the labour force all year" grouping:
- 17 percent of older Canadians without disabilities in the 55 to 59 age group are not in the labour force all year long.
- 41 percent of older Canadians without disabilities in the 60 to 64 age group are not in the labour force all year long.
- 69 percent of seniors without disabilities in the 65 to 69 age group are not in the labour force all year long.
For the "Employed, unemployed or not in the labour force part of the year" grouping:
- 13 percent of older Canadians without disabilities in the 55 to 59 age group are employed part year, unemployed part year, and not in the labour force part year.
- 12 percent of older Canadians without disabilities in the 60 to 64 age group are employed part year, unemployed part year, and not in the labour force part year.
- 8 percent of seniors without disabilities in the 65 to 69 age group are employed part year, unemployed part year, and not in the labour force part year.
Source: 2008 Survey of Labour and Income Dynamics
Self-employed seniors
Seven percent of seniors with disabilities and 13 percent of seniors without disabilities that choose to remain in the labour force after the age of 65 are self-employed, whether out of necessity or personal choice. Self-employment is ideal for seniors because it allows them flexibility in their schedules and generates additional income for them. Seniors with disabilities may transition into self-employment from previous salaried work due to their disabilities or lack of paid employment opportunities.
Discrimination at work
Some seniors with disabilities who continue to participate in the labour force feel that they are discriminated against at work. In addition, even though Canadian law prohibits discrimination on the grounds of disability and age, many older workers with disabilities may not self-identify or ask for accommodations in the workplace out of fear that they will be discriminated against.
Two in ten seniors with disabilities (21 percent) consider themselves to be disadvantaged in employment because of their condition, and about one quarter (26 percent) believe that their current employers or potential employers would be likely to consider them disadvantaged in employment.
Retirement
Sixteen percent of seniors with disabilities retire solely because of their disability.
Deciding when to retire can be a difficult choice for seniors. The reasons to retire can range from disability or health concerns to level of job satisfaction, work pressures or wanting to enjoy life outside work. What is certain is that the decision to retire affects an individual's economic circumstances for the rest of his or her life. As a result, the transition from work to retirement requires careful preparation and adjustment. Sometimes, the occurrence of disability has an effect on the choice to retire or not. Overall, 16 percent of seniors with disabilities reported their disability as the sole reason why they permanently retired.
Retiring before age 55
The average age for seniors with disabilities to retire for the first time is 57 years of age. Senior men retire later than their female counterparts (59 versus 54 years of age). Senior women with disabilities are also more likely to retire before the age of 55 (39 percent) compared to men (19 percent). Eighty-five percent of seniors with disabilities retire before the age of 65.
Figure 4.6 shows how the severity of disabilities plays a role in the age of retirement for seniors. Seniors with more severe disabilities are more likely to retire before the age of 55.
Figure 4.6 Age of retirement among seniors, by disability severity (%), 2006
Figure 4.6 Text Description
This vertical bar graph presents data from the 2006 Participation and Activity Limitation Survey. It describes the age of retirement by disability severity, by percentage.
Disability severity is divided into 3 groupings: mild, moderate and severe to very severe.
Within a grouping, there are 4 age sub-groupings. They are:
- Under 55
- 55 to 59
- 60 to 64
- 65 and over
For mild disability severity:
- 21% of seniors with a mild disability retired under the age of 55;
- 28% of seniors with a mild disability retired between the ages 55 to 59;
- 29% of seniors with a mild disability retired between the ages of 60 to 64;
- 22% of seniors with a mild disability retired at age 65 and over.
For a moderate disability:
- 23% of seniors with a moderate disability retired under the age of 55;
- 26% of seniors with a moderate disability retired between the ages 55 to 59;
- 30% of seniors with a moderate disability retired between the ages of 60 to 64;
- 21% of seniors with a moderate disability retired at age 65 and over.
For a severe to very severe disability:
- 34% of seniors with a severe to very severe disability retired under the age of 55;
- 26% of seniors with a severe to very severe disability retired between the ages 55 to 59;
- 23% of seniors with a severe to very severe disability retired between the ages of 60 to 64;
- 17% of seniors with a severe to very severe disability retired at age 65 and over.
Source: 2006 Participation and Activity Limitation Survey
Sixty-two percent of seniors not in the labour force have a disability that completely prevents them from working. For those not completely prevented from working, there are 32 percent of seniors that are limited at work due to their disability. Moreover, 16 percent of seniors report their disability negatively impacts their ability to look for work.
Transportation
Most seniors with disabilities need help to travel in their communities.
As the population ages, the demand for accessible, reliable transportation services increases. Transportation is an essential part of community life—it is part of the infrastructure that helps people buy goods and services, maintain social contacts and participate in many other areas of society.
However, as people age, changing health and physical conditions and barriers in the environment can limit mobility and hinder transportation. To understand how disability and transportation interact for seniors, it is helpful to consider how they travel, their personal needs and desires.
Need for local travel attendants
Due to a variety of factors, including the severity of disability and level of accessibility of the mode of transportation, seniors with disabilities may require assistance for travel. Figure 4.7 displays the modes of transportation that are most common for older Canadians and seniors with disabilities to require an attendant.
Figure 4.7 Type of local transportation needed with an attendant for older Canadians and seniors with disabilities (%), 2006
Figure 4.7 Text Description
This vertical bar graph presents data from the 2006 Participation and Activity Limitation Survey. It illustrates the type of transportation where an attendant was needed for older Canadians and seniors with disabilities by age group and by percentage.
This graph is divided into groupings on the horizontal axis; each grouping represents a different type of local transportation. On the horizontal axis, from left to right, are the following categories:
- Car
- Specialized bus
- Bus
- Subway
- Taxi
- Other
Vertical axis is measured by percentage of the population and increases in increments of 10 from 0 to 50.
For car
- 14 percent of older Canadians age 55 to 64 needed an attendant for car transportation.
- 20 percent of seniors with disabilities age 65 to 74 needed an attendant for car transportation.
- 37 percent of seniors with disabilities age 75 and over needed an attendant for car transportation.
For specialized bus
- 31 percent of older Canadians age 55 to 64 needed an attendant for specialized bus transportation.
- 25 percent of seniors with disabilities age 65 to 74 needed an attendant for specialized bus transportation.
- 27 percent of seniors with disabilities age 75 and over needed an attendant for specialized bus transportation.
For bus
- 7 percent of older Canadians age 55 to 64 needed an attendant for bus transportation.
- 7 percent of seniors with disabilities age 65 to 74 needed an attendant for bus transportation.
- 13 percent of seniors with disabilities age 75 and over needed an attendant for bus transportation.
For subway
- 12 percent of older Canadians age 55 to 64 needed an attendant for subway transportation.
- 9 percent of seniors with disabilities age 65 to 74 needed an attendant for subway transportation.
- 19 percent of seniors with disabilities age 75 and over needed an attendant for subway transportation.
For taxi
- 5 percent of older Canadians age 55 to 64 needed an attendant for taxi transportation.
- 9 percent of seniors with disabilities age 65 to 74 needed an attendant for taxi transportation.
- 20 percent of seniors with disabilities age 75 and over needed an attendant for taxi transportation.
For other
- 4 percent of older Canadians age 55 to 64 needed an attendant for other transportation.
- 8 percent of seniors with disabilities age 65 to 74 needed an attendant for other transportation.
- 24 percent of seniors with disabilities age 75 and over needed an attendant for other transportation.
Source: 2006 Participation and Activity Limitation Survey
Seniors aged 75 and older most often require an attendant to travel locally by car (37 percent). Seniors aged 75 and over travelling locally are about two times more likely than those aged 65 to 74 to need an attendant when travelling by bus, subway, taxi or other form of transportation.
Figure 4.8 Type of local transportation needed with an attendant for older Canadians and seniors, by disability severity (%), 2006
Figure 4.8 Text Description
This vertical bar graph presents data from the 2006 Participation and Activity Limitation Survey. It illustrates the type of local transportation where an attendant was needed by disability severity, by percentage.
On the horizontal axis, the bar graph is divided into four groupings. Each grouping represents a different type of disability severity. On the horizontal axis, from left to right, are the following categories:
- Mild
- Moderate
- Severe
- Very severe
The vertical axis is presented in percentages and increases in increments of 20 from 0 to 100 percent.
For mild disabilities
- 3 percent of seniors needed an attendant for taxi transportation.
- 2 percent of seniors needed an attendant for bus transportation.
- 13 percent of seniors needed an attendant for car transportation.
For moderate disabilities
- 12 percent of seniors needed an attendant for taxi transportation.
- 14 percent of seniors needed an attendant for bus transportation.
- 22 percent of seniors needed an attendant for car transportation.
For severe disabilities
- 19 percent of seniors needed an attendant for taxi transportation.
- 14 percent of seniors needed an attendant for bus transportation.
- 41 percent of seniors needed an attendant for car transportation.
For very severe disabilities
- 46 percent of seniors with needed an attendant for taxi transportation.
- 32 percent of seniors with needed an attendant for bus transportation.
- 73 percent of seniors with needed an attendant for car transportation.
Source: 2006 Participation and Activity Limitation Survey
Seniors with more severe disabilities require the use of an attendant more often to travel locally. Figure 4.8 shows that, among seniors with very severe disabilities, 73 percent who travel by car need an attendant with them, which is a much higher percentage than for those who travel by bus (32 percent) or by taxi (46 percent). Seniors with mild disabilities are the least likely to need an attendant when travelling locally.
Housebound seniors with disabilities
For seniors with disabilities that do not travel locally, 56 percent consider themselves housebound. Seniors that are housebound list health problems as the number one reason (48 percent). Besides health problems, the main reasons why seniors with disabilities are housebound differ for each age group: Older seniors are more likely to not want to go out (44 percent) and need assistance (37 percent) than younger seniors, who are more likely to feel that transportation is not available (19 percent). Older Canadians however, are more likely to not go out because they have no companion (28 percent). This information is shown in Figure 4.9.
Figure 4.9 Reason why older Canadians and seniors with disabilities are housebound, by age group (%), 2006
Figure 4.9 Text Description
This vertical bar graph presents data from the 2006 Participation and Activity Limitation Survey. It illustrates by percentage, the reasons why older Canadians and seniors with disabilities are housebound by age group.
This bar graph is divided into sections, each section representing reasons why seniors with disabilities are housebound, by age group. The horizontal axis lists the different reasons. On the axis, from left to right, are the following categories:
- Transportation not available
- No companion
- Need assistance
- Health problems
- Not want to go out
- Other
The vertical axis measures the percentage of the population, with increases in increments of 20 from 0 to 100 percent.
For transportation not available
- 18 percent of older Canadians age 55 to 64 are housebound because transportation was not available.
- 19 percent of seniors with disabilities age 65 to 74 are housebound because transportation was not available.
- 6 percent of seniors with disabilities age 75 and over are housebound because transportation was not available.
For no companion
- 28 percent of older Canadians age 55 to 64 are housebound because they had no companion.
- 19 percent of seniors with disabilities age 65 to 74 are housebound because they had no companion.
- 20 percent of seniors with disabilities age 75 and over are housebound because they had no companion.
For need assistance
- 31 percent of older Canadians age 55 to 64 are housebound because they need assistance.
- 16 percent of seniors with disabilities age 65 to 74 are housebound because they need assistance.
- 37 percent of seniors with disabilities age 75 and over are housebound because they need assistance.
For health problems
- 61 percent of older Canadians age 55 to 64 are housebound because they have health problems.
- 61 percent of seniors with disabilities age 65 to 74 are housebound because they have health problems.
- 45 percent of seniors with disabilities age 75 and over are housebound because they have health problems.
For not want to go out
- 20 percent of older Canadians age 55 to 64 are housebound because they do not want to go out.
- 34 percent of seniors with disabilities age 65 to 74 are housebound because they do not want to go out.
- 44 percent of seniors with disabilities age 75 and over are housebound because they do not want to go out.
For other
- 17 percent of older Canadians age 55 to 64 are housebound for other reasons.
- 21 percent of seniors with disabilities age 65 to 74 are housebound for other reasons.
- 21 percent of seniors with disabilities age 75 and over are housebound for other reasons.
Source: 2006 Participation and Activity Limitation Survey
Volunteering
Volunteering decreases as seniors age.
Volunteering is an important part of Canadian society. In addition to providing essential services and supports, volunteering also represents a mechanism for Canadians with similar interests to get together and work towards a common goal.
In general, the percentage of the population that participates in volunteering declines with age. The rates of participation in volunteer activities are displayed in Figure 4.10. Until the age of 85, participation levels for seniors with disabilities are only slightly lower than for seniors without disabilities, indicating that most seniors with disabilities volunteer almost to the same degree as those without disabilities.
Figure 4.10 Participation in volunteer activities, by disability status and age group (%), 2008
Figure 4.10 Text Description
This vertical bar graph presents data from the 2008 General Social Survey. It illustrates by percentage, the participation of people with and without disabilities in unpaid volunteering activities by age group.
This graph is divided into sections, each section representing an age category. The horizontal axis lists the age groups. On the axis from left to right are the following categories:
- 15 to 54
- 55 to 64
- 65 to 74
- 75 to 84
- 85 and over
The vertical axis is measured by percentages and increases in increments of 10 from 0 to 50 percent.
For the 15 to 54 age group
- 45 percent of Canadians with disabilities age 15 to 54 participate in volunteer activities.
- 42 percent of Canadians without disabilities age 15 to 54 participate in volunteer activities.
For the 55 to 64 age group
- 39 percent of older Canadians with disabilities age 55 to 64 participate in volunteer activities.
- 42 percent of older Canadians without disabilities age 55 to 64 participate in volunteer activities.
For the 65 to 74 age group
- 36 percent of seniors with disabilities age 65 to 74 participate in volunteer activities.
- 39 percent of seniors without disabilities age 65 to 74 participate in volunteer activities.
For the 75 to 84 age group
- 27 percent of seniors with disabilities age 75 to 84 participate in volunteer activities.
- 32 percent of seniors without disabilities age 75 to 84 participate in volunteer activities.
For the 85 and over age group
- 20 percent of seniors with disabilities age 85 and over participate in volunteer activities.
- 36 percent of seniors without disabilities age 85 and over participate in volunteer activities.
Source: 2008 General Social Survey
The number of hours per month committed to volunteering are shown in Figure 4.11. In total, seniors spend more time volunteering than younger age groups. Seniors with disabilities, who have monthly time commitment over fifteen hours, volunteer more than their counterparts without disabilities.
| Volunteer hours per month | Age group | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 55 to 64 | 65 to 74 | 75 and over | ||||
| With disabilities | Without disabilities | With disabilities | Without disabilities | With disabilities | Without disabilities | |
| 0–4 hours | 36 | 44 | 29 | 33 | 34 | 34 |
| 5–14 hours | 40 | 35 | 38 | 36 | 37 | 39 |
| 15+ hours | 24 | 21 | 33 | 31 | 29 | 27 |
Figure 4.11 Text Description
This table presents data from the 2008 General Social Survey. It describes the amount of time (measured in hours) that people with disabilities spend volunteering per month (shown in the rows) by age and disability status (shown in columns by percentage).
Columns are divided into the following age group sections from left to right:
- 55 to 64
- 65 to 74
- 75 and over
Within each age group, from left to right, there is a disability status subgroup (with disabilities, without disabilities).
Rows list the hours of time spent volunteering each month from top to bottom:
- 0 to 4 hours
- 5 to 14 hours
- 15 or more hours
For the 55 to 64 age group
- 36 percent with disabilities volunteer 0 to 4 hours per month.
- 44 percent without volunteer 0 to 4 hours per month.
- 40 percent with disabilities volunteer 5 to 14 hours per month.
- 35 percent without disabilities volunteer 5 to 14 hours per month.
- 24 percent with disabilities volunteer 15 or more hours per month.
- 21 percent without disabilities volunteer 15 or more hours per month.
For the 65 to 74 age group
- 29 percent with disabilities volunteer 0 to 4 hours per month.
- 33 percent without disabilities volunteer 0 to 4 hours per month.
- 38 percent with disabilities volunteer 5 to 14 hours per month.
- 36 percent without disabilities volunteer 5 to 14 hours per month.
- 33 percent with disabilities volunteer 15 or more hours per month.
- 31 percent without disabilities volunteer 15 or more hours per month.
For the 75 and over age group
- 34 percent with disabilities volunteer 0 to 4 hours per month.
- 34 percent without disabilities volunteer 0 to 4 hours per month.
- 37 percent with disabilities volunteer 5 to 14 hours per month.
- 39 percent without disabilities volunteer 5 to 14 hours per month.
- 29 percent with disabilities volunteer 15 or more hours per month.
- 27 percent without disabilities volunteer 15 or more hours per month.
Source: 2008 General Social Survey
Approximately two in ten seniors with disabilities and seniors without disabilities aged 65 to 74 have increased the amount of time they spend volunteering over the years. For seniors aged 75 and over, those with disabilities are more likely than those without to have reduced the number of hours they spend volunteering over the years (25 percent versus 19 percent). About 63 percent of seniors with and without disabilities say that their participation levels have remained the same—61 percent of seniors with disabilities and 64 percent of seniors without.
On average, seniors with disabilities volunteer for 18 years, compared to 17 years for seniors without disabilities. Most seniors with disabilities began volunteering during their working-age years.
Types of volunteer organizations
Seniors with and without disabilities generally volunteer with the same kinds of organizations, but there are some differences. Volunteering rates by type of organization are displayed in Figure 4.12.
Two areas in which older Canadians with disabilities are relatively less likely to volunteer are unions and professional organizations, and sports and recreational leagues. The former is likely related to the lower participation levels in the labour force of seniors with disabilities, while the latter is most likely related to health status. However, seniors with disabilities are more likely to volunteer with service clubs or fraternal organizations than seniors without disabilities.
| Type of volunteer organization | Age group | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 55 to 64 | 65 to 74 | 75 and over | ||||
| With disabilities | Without disabilities | With disabilities | Without disabilities | With disabilities | Without disabilities | |
| Unions or professional organizations | 28 | 36 | 12 | 17 | 7 | 8 |
| Political parties or groups | 9 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Sports or recreational leagues | 20 | 24 | 20 | 23 | 13 | 14 |
| Cultural or hobby groups | 22 | 23 | 24 | 22 | 17 | 17 |
| Religious or affiliated groups | 19 | 19 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 23 |
| Community associations | 17 | 17 | 18 | 16 | 10 | 11 |
| Service clubs or fraternal organizations | 16 | 14 | 16 | 18 | 20 | 16 |
Figure 4.12 Text Description
This table presents data from the 2008 General Social Survey. It describes by percentage, volunteer rates and ages of older Canadians and seniors with and without disabilities in different types of volunteer organizations (in rows).
The columns are divided into the following age groups from left to right:
- 55 to 64
- 65 to 74
- 75 and over
Within each age group, there is a disability type (with and without disability) subgroup.
The rows list each type of volunteer organization.
For the 55 to 64 age group
- 28 percent with disabilities volunteer at unions or professional organizations.
- 36 percent without disabilities volunteer at unions or professional organizations.
- 9 percent with disabilities volunteer with political parties or groups.
- 8 percent without disabilities volunteer with political parties or groups
- 20 percent with disabilities volunteer at sports or recreational leagues.
- 24 percent without disabilities volunteer at sports or recreational leagues.
- 22 percent with disabilities volunteer at cultural or hobby groups.
- 23 percent without disabilities volunteer at cultural or hobby groups.
- 19 percent with disabilities volunteer at religious-affiliated groups.
- 19 percent without disabilities volunteer at religious-affiliated groups.
- 17 percent with disabilities volunteer at community associations.
- 17 percent without disabilities volunteer at community associations.
- 16 percent with disabilities volunteer at service clubs or fraternal organizations.
- 14 percent without disabilities volunteer at service clubs or fraternal organizations.
For the 65 to 74 age group
- 12 percent with disabilities age 65 to 74 volunteer at unions or professional organizations.
- 17 percent without disabilities age 65 to 74 volunteer at unions or professional organizations.
- 9 percent with disabilities volunteer with political parties or groups.
- 10 percent without disabilities volunteer with political parties or groups
- 20 percent with disabilities volunteer at sports or recreational leagues.
- 23 percent without disabilities volunteer at sports or recreational leagues.
- 24 percent with disabilities volunteer at cultural or hobby groups.
- 22 percent without disabilities volunteer at cultural or hobby groups.
- 21 percent with disabilities volunteer at religious-affiliated groups.
- 22 percent without disabilities volunteer at religious-affiliated groups.
- 18 percent with disabilities volunteer at community associations.
- 16 percent without disabilities volunteer at community associations.
- 16 percent with disabilities volunteer at service clubs or fraternal organizations.
- 18 percent without disabilities volunteer at service clubs or fraternal organizations.
For the 75 and over age group
- 7 percent with disabilities volunteer at unions or professional organizations.
- 8 percent without disabilities volunteer at unions or professional organizations.
- 9 percent with disabilities volunteer with political parties or groups.
- 8 percent without disabilities volunteer with political parties or groups
- 13 percent with disabilities volunteer at sports or recreational leagues.
- 14 percent without disabilities volunteer at sports or recreational leagues.
- 17 percent with disabilities volunteer at cultural or hobby groups.
- 17 percent without disabilities volunteer at cultural or hobby groups.
- 23 percent with disabilities volunteer at religious-affiliated groups.
- 23 percent without disabilities volunteer at religious-affiliated groups.
- 10 percent with disabilities volunteer at community associations.
- 11 percent without disabilities volunteer at community associations.
- 20 percent with disabilities volunteer at service clubs or fraternal organizations.
- 16 percent without disabilities volunteer at service clubs or fraternal organizations.
Source: 2008 General Social Survey
Spotlight on Government of Canada Programs:
Social Development Partnerships Program
The Disability component of the Social Development Partnerships Program (SDPP-D) supports innovative projects that are designed to improve the participation of people with disabilities in all aspects of Canadian society.
The program provides $11 million per year in funding through grants and contributions to the not-for-profit sector for projects that meet the social development needs and aspirations of people with disabilities.
For more information, visit
www.hrsdc.gc.ca/eng/disability/social_development/index.shtml.
Spotlight on the Tetra Society of North America
"People are not handicapped by their disabilities but by obstacles in their living environments."
— The Tetra Society of North America
This simple statement by the Tetra Society of North America (Tetra) summarizes the thoughtful, problem-solving approach that makes Tetra so effective at helping people. Through its skilled volunteers, Tetra develops assistive devices for people with physical disabilities so that they can participate fully in all aspects of life, including work, family, community life and recreation.
The main obstacle faced by Vince Matthews, a dog owner living in Vancouver who uses a manual wheelchair, was rain. Walking his dog in the rain posed significant challenges: How could he wheel his chair, support an umbrella, clutch a leash and scoop up after his dog, all without getting soaking wet? Tetra volunteer Brian Johnson built a special brace that holds a large umbrella securely to Vince's wheelchair, even in windy conditions, and does not interfere with him pushing his chair.
Tetra operates 45 chapters throughout North America, supported by over 300 expert volunteers. Since its inception in 1987, Tetra has completed 5,000 projects like Vince's, partially through support like that provided by the Government of Canada. Each completed project allows people with disabilities to participate a little more fully in all aspects of their lives.
For more information, visit
www.hrsdc.gc.ca/eng/seniors/stories/index.shtml.
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