Condo Living

June 22, 2026 Published by Toronto and Area Chapter - By Stacey Kurck

Communities that Evolve Together: Navigating Aging in Place in Condominiums

From the Spring 2026 issue of CCI Toronto Condovoice Magazine.

On March 24, 2026, we brought together a panel of industry professionals for CCI Toronto’s Education webinar to explore an increasingly important topic in our communities: Aging in Place. It was a meaningful conversation with Jen Recknagel from the NORC Innovation Centre at University Health Network and Karen Rubin from Del Property Management, who both shared valuable perspectives from their respective areas of expertise.

What became clear throughout the discussion is that Ontario’s condominium communities are already changing. More residents are choosing to remain in their homes longer, and many buildings are quietly evolving into naturally occurring retirement communities (NORCs). Even in buildings that may not yet identify this way, the impacts are already being felt in day-to-day operations.

Aging in place in a condominium setting is often misunderstood. It does not mean that condominium corporations are expected to provide healthcare or personal support services. Rather, it is about enabling residents to live safely and independently for as long as possible by fostering connection, providing access to information, and supporting engagement with appropriate external resources.

Boards, managers, and front-line staff are increasingly navigating complex and sensitive situations—ranging from mobility challenges and cognitive decline to social isolation and emergency response scenarios. These situations often fall into grey areas, where compassion must be balanced with governance responsibilities, liability considerations, and privacy obligations. Establishing clear protocols and consistent approaches is essential in supporting both residents and those responsible for managing these communities.

One of the key takeaways from the session was the importance of collaboration. Aging in place cannot be addressed by the condominium sector alone. Strong partnerships with healthcare providers, community organizations, and support services are critical in developing sustainable solutions that respect the boundaries of condominium governance while meeting the evolving needs of residents.

Perhaps most importantly, this is not a future issue—it is happening now. Demographic shifts often occur gradually and then all at once, and many communities may not realize the extent of change until they are already facing it. Being proactive is key.

Aging in place is ultimately about future-proofing our communities—ensuring residents can live with dignity while boards and managers operate within clear, practical, and sustainable frameworks.

We continued the important conversation on April 11, 2026, in North York at our in-person CondoSTRENGTH – For Directors, By Directors session, Aging in Place – The Director Experience. We also held a supportive follow-up webinar on Aging in Place: The Legal Side, which took place on May 12, 2026, at 12:00 PM.

Stacey Kurck
OLCM, RCM
Vice President
FirstService Residential