Women over 65 are more than twice as likely to live alone than are men in the same age group. The proportion of seniors living in extended families, such as with their sons or daughters, has decreased steadily from 16 per cent in the early 1970s to 7 per cent in 1996. Contrary to popular belief, caregiving for most ageing persons is provided by one's spouse and not one's children. In 1996, the proportion of seniors in each province living in institutions ranged between 5 and 10 per cent of the total senior population. More women than men spend their final years living in institutions.
Close friends play an extremely important role in the lives of all older adults.
For many of them, contact with friends and peers can be more important to a sense of personal well-being than increased contact with family members. In 1991, Statistics Canada conducted the first-ever survey of factors known to contribute to the quality of life and independence of older Canadians. In other words, it examined to what extent seniors lend a hand by assisting others with their daily needs, such as transportation, help around the house, or personal care, and to what extent they receive this type of help themselves. The survey found that social support was given and received mainly within the family setting, and seniors on the whole tended to provide assistance more often than they received it. Subsequently, in 1996, data collected by Statistics Canada found 84 per cent of all seniors reported that they were getting some kind of help around the house from family members, neighbours or friends, but only 10 per cent were formally receiving help from a social service agency.