Steve Perry, Carefor President & CEO

As the President & CEO of Carefor Health & Community Services, I often reflect on the profound impact of housing not just as shelter, but as a cornerstone of one’s overall health and wellness, especially for seniors in Renfrew County. November 22nd is National Housing Day and an opportunity for society to reflect upon the impact that safe, affordable housing and supports has on the lives of vulnerable seniors and aging adults. 

As the cost of living continues to rise, many older adults in our region find themselves at a perilous crossroad: unable to safely remain in their own homes, yet unable to afford the costs of living in a congregate living setting. The story of Melanie Freeman, one of our residents at Carefor Civic Complex, underscores exactly what’s at stake — and what’s possible when we can help people in need.

Melanie’s Journey: From Caregiver to Being Cared For

For ten years, Melanie cared for her mother, Lucille, after a brain aneurysm left her incapacitated. She gave up much of her own independence to manage her mother’s daily needs: cooking, cleaning, dressing, and providing companionship. When her mother passed away in 2022, Melanie was, in her words, “lost” and ended up moving in with her brother’s family. Despite being embraced in this manner, she still somehow felt alone. 

A turning point came through a conversation with her doctor, who told her that while it was good that she was getting support from her brother, she needed a permanent place to live and recommended Carefor’s Civic Complex.  She went for a tour, moved in that October, and slowly started to build a new chapter in her life.

Today, Melanie is more than a resident: she’s a leader. She helps coordinate activities, socializes with other residents, and shares something quite profound: “For the first time in years, I’m living for myself.”

Her story is deeply emblematic of what supportive, non-profit housing can do. At Carefor, we don’t just provide people with a place to sleep at night, we give people a community to be a part of, a purpose, and a chance to start a new chapter in life.

Why a Housing Crisis in Renfrew County Hits Seniors Especially Hard

Across Renfrew County, seniors represent more than 23.2 percent of the population (higher than the Ontario rate of 18.5 percent). Yet, affordable, safe and appropriate housing options for seniors are very limited. Most seniors live on limited and fixed incomes, and as housing costs skyrocket, they are increasingly faced with other risks: food insecurity, social isolation, and premature hospitalization.

Without appropriate affordable and supportive housing, there will be a ripple effect across the healthcare system. Seniors living in unstable or unsafe housing are far more likely to experience chronic illness, mental health struggles, or repeated hospitalizations. These are all major contributors placing increased pressure on Ontario’s emergency departments, hospital beds, and long-term care facilities.

For low-income seniors, traditional retirement homes are often financially out of reach. Monthly fees can run well into the thousands, making them prohibitive for someone who depends on a pension or limited savings. With no viable alternative, many delay leaving home even when their health deteriorates, and that delay comes at a cost, both human and systemic.

The Value of Supportive Housing

As a not-for-profit charity, Carefor’s Civic Complex and Mackay Centre retirement care homes in Pembroke are operated on a cost recovery basis. That means that all fees paid to reside in one of our residences are reinvested right back into the operations of the facilities.  For residents like Melanie, that translates into tremendous value and social impact:

• Three meals a day, so no one worries about going hungry.
• Medication management, to reduce risk of missed doses or dangerous interactions.
• Regular check-ins and housekeeping, to help residents live safely and with dignity.
• Recreation programs and social engagement, so people don’t just live – they thrive.

When people have a safe, stable place to call home, broader healthcare indicators improve. Emergency department wait times drop. Hospital admissions are reduced. The burden on our already stressed healthcare system eases, not because we’re limiting access, but because we’re preventing avoidable crises.

The Bottom Line

Housing in Renfrew County is more than a social policy issue; it’s a public health issue. Without affordable, supportive housing:

• Our seniors face isolation, illness, and declining quality of life.
• Emergency departments carry a heavier load.
• Families are left without options for their loved ones.
• More seniors end up at food banks, hospitals, long-term care facilities and homeless shelters.

But as Melanie’s story shows, there is hope. With the right kind of housing, not just a roof over one’s head, but a caring, connected community, we can help people rebuild purpose and dignity in their later years.

As Carefor continues to advocate for and provide non-profit housing options, we do so with concrete proof: stable homes save lives, cut healthcare costs, and restore community. That’s the vision I carry as CEO — and seeing residents like Melanie thriving is the greatest validation of all.

To learn more about Carefor’s housing options for seniors in Renfrew County visit www.carefor.ca/retirement