Published on: May 12, 2025
McGill Researchers Reveal Social Inequities in Aging in Place
While a person’s health status plays a key role in their ability to age in place—remaining in their home and community as they grow older—researchers at McGill University have brought attention to the significant role of social factors, which can influence this ability both directly and by shaping health outcomes over a lifetime.
The key message from our research is that aging in place is not equally attainable for everyone, said Amélie Quesnel-Vallée, senior author of the study, Inaugural Chair and Professor in the Department of Equity, Ethics and Policy, and Canada Research Chair in Policies and Health Inequalities. We aimed to highlight the significant potential for inequity, even in a country like Canada with universal health care.
Unexpected Findings Among the Highly Educated
One surprising discovery was that individuals with higher levels of education were less likely to age in place.
This finding is unexpected because education is typically associated with greater access to resources, which should theoretically support aging in place, explained Clara Bolster-Foucault, a PhD candidate in McGill’s Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Occupational Health and lead author of the study, published in Age and Ageing.
She suggested this may be due to how education shapes family dynamics—more educated individuals often have fewer children and have them later in life. These factors may reduce the availability of informal care. Additionally, people with higher education tend to live longer, increasing their likelihood of requiring more intensive care in later years.
Analysis of Global Data on Aging Populations
The study analyzed data from 55 studies involving aging populations across North America, Europe, Australia, and the United Kingdom. Predictably, individuals with more socioeconomic resources and stronger social ties were more likely to age in place.
Interestingly, the study also found that rural residents, immigrants, and members of racial or ethnic minority groups were more likely to age in their communities compared to urban dwellers, non-minorities, and non-immigrants. This may be attributed to limited access to institutional care, stronger community bonds, or cultural norms that emphasize family caregiving.
Implications for Policy and Future Research
The researchers emphasized that their findings could guide the development of more inclusive policies, services, and programs to support older adults in remaining in their homes and communities for as long as possible.
Looking ahead, Quesnel-Vallée said the team plans to investigate social disparities in aging in place specifically within Quebec. This will include examining variations in admissions to long-term care facilities, as well as the frequency of avoidable hospital visits and emergency department use.
The study, titled “Social inequity in ageing in place among older adults in Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development countries: a mixed studies systematic review, was authored by Clara Bolster-Foucault and colleagues and published in Age and Ageing.
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