In February, 2024, Home Care Ontario commissioned a study by Boris Kralj, PhD, Adjunct Professor, Department of Economics at McMaster University and Arthur Sweetman, PhD, Professor and Ontario Research Chair in Health Human Resources, Department of Economics at McMaster University to study the impact Ontario’s rapidly growing seniors population would have on the home care sector and access to health care more broadly.

Their findings indicate that—as Ontario’s seniors population grows by 650,000 over the next six years—Ontario’s home care sector would need to add an additional 6,800 PSWs just to maintain current levels of service. But if more seniors are not given access to home care, this will put enormous pressure on other areas of the health care system. Already, Ontario’s Auditor General has cited the plus-65 population’s complex care needs as a key cause of Emergency Department’s operating over capacity. Clearly, Ontario needs more home care. Download the full report to learn more.