Original Title: Milieux de vie pour les personnes aînées en perte d’autonomie

Authors' objectives: The desire to meet these needs while ensuring continuity of care and services, equitable access, quality of life, and the efficient management of public resources call for a review of the current options of living environments for seniors experiencing a loss of independence.

Authors' results and conclusions: RESULTS (#1: CHARACTERISTICS OF SENIORS AND HOUSING RATES): In 2025, the proportion of seniors aged 65 and over stood at 22% of Québec’s total population. Across Canada and in several other OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development) countries, similar proportions, ranging from 18% to 22% of the general population, are observed. In Québec, 2% of the entire senior population have a severe loss of independence. (#2 DESCRIPTION OF LIVING ENVIRONMENTS): Several types of living environments for seniors were identified in the literature. They are grouped into four categories situated on a residential continuum: 1) non-care living environments, 2) living environments with occasional care, 3) long-term care facilities, and 4) living environments with evolving care and services. This state-of-knowledge report provides a synthesis of the characteristics, implementation considerations, as well as strengths and limitations for each type of environment. CONCLUSION: This report has documented a variety of living environments for seniors experiencing a loss of independence, and it reminds us that meeting their needs goes beyond this single framework and is part of a complex reality of the insurance of the provision, coordination and continuity of care and services.

Authors' methods: This state-of-knowledge report was prepared by incorporating data from a review of scientific and gray literature and from stakeholder consultations to address the following questions: 1) What types of living environments are available for seniors experiencing a loss of independence, both in Québec and in the other Canadian provinces, as well as abroad? 2) For each living environment, what are the main characteristics, the benefits, the drawbacks, and the challenges associated with their implementation, based on seniors’ independence profiles, taking populational, clinical, organizational, sociocultural and economic factors into account?

Project Status: Completed

Year Published: 2026

URL for published report: https://www.inesss.qc.ca/publications/repertoire-des-publications/publication/milieux-de-vie-pour-les-personnes-ainees-en-perte-dautonomie.html

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Other

Country: Canada

Province: Quebec

Organisation Name: Institut national d'excellence en sante et en services sociaux

Contact Address: L'Institut national d'excellence en sante et en services sociaux (INESSS) , 2021, avenue Union, bureau 10.083, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, H3A 2S9;Tel: 1+514-873-2563, Fax: 1+514-873-1369

Contact Name: demande@inesss.qc.ca

Contact Email: demande@inesss.qc.ca

Copyright: L'Institut national d'excellence en sante et en services sociaux (INESSS)