Canadians Want to Age At Home. Postal Workers Can Help.

As a geriatrician, I’ve seen the same story repeat itself countless times in the busy emergency departments and hospitals where I work in Toronto. An older patient who lives alone with a medical condition that needs regular attention is discovered by a visiting family member long after that condition has progressed into something worse. Most older adults live with one or more chronic illnesses, things like heart, lung and kidney disease, or diabetes, that need regular monitoring. Without someone to regularly check in on them, they might not even realize their condition is deteriorating—especially in weather events like this summer’s heat waves. In some cases, we’re able to intervene in time and reverse any damage done, but others don’t even make it to the hospital.