Canada’s health care system is under strain as its aging population and rising chronic illnesses drive up care needs faster than the system can adapt. Hospitals face mounting pressure, primary care access remains inconsistent, and a shrinking workforce exacerbates the strain. Meanwhile, family caregivers, many lacking proper resources or assistance, are taking on heavier burdens daily.
Canadians want to age independently, with dignity, and remain at home for as long as it is safe to do so. They expect technology to support this, with three-quarters say they would participate in hospital-at-home programs and seventy percent are willing to use digital tools that collect and share health data to enable real-time, remote support.
Changing Care Expectations
A recent survey by EY Canada found that Canadians aged 50 and over expect transparency, responsiveness, and ease of use in health care. They want to know where their referral sits, how long the wait will be, and what happens next. This reflects a broader shift in how Canadians interact with services, with a focus on convenience and visibility.
The demand for technology-enabled aging is not about novelty, but about maintaining independence, staying connected to care, and avoiding unnecessary disruption to daily life. However, the current care system has persistent gaps in awareness of available services and access to supports, making it hard for people to find their way.
The Growing System Strain
More than half of Canadians rate their understanding of available care options as poor or fair, and nearly 80% rely on local providers to guide them. The system’s dependence on unpaid caregivers further exposes these gaps, with more than one in five family caregivers providing over 31 hours of care per week.
This level of intensity increases the risk of caregiver burnout and can place additional strain on hospitals, which often become the default entry point to the health system when appropriate caregiver respite supports are unavailable or hard to access.
From Policy to Real Impact
Encouragingly, governments are beginning to respond, with provinces investing more in home and community care. Federally, Bill S-5, the Connected Care for Canadians Act, signals growing recognition that a digitally connected system is essential to modernized care.
However, funding and legislation alone will not deliver transformation. Without interoperable data, integrated workflows, and a clear strategy to support providers, patients, and family caregivers, digital investments risk adding fragmentation rather than fixing it.
Redefining Aging in Canada
Canada has an opportunity to shape aged care designed around what matters most to Canadians: independence, connection, and everyday life. With the right leadership focus, technology can strengthen communities, support patients and family caregivers, and help Canadians stay well longer.
