Criticizing
the “new mediocre” of care for seniors, the president of the Canadian Medical
Association today called for federal investment in both long-term care
facilities and home and community programs.
The
federal government must begin investing now in long-term care infrastructure
and make significant new investment in in programs for home and community care,
Without that investment the viability of Canada’s health care system will be threatened
as the proportion of Canadians over age 65 continues to grow, Dr. Chris Simpson
said in a press release.
"Much
is being made of the 'new mediocre' facing world economies, but right now
Canada is asking far too many seniors and their families to endure mediocre
access to care," he said, commenting on the latest federal fiscal update.
"We
need to start making smart investments now or health care costs will continue
to grow while still failing to meet the growing and evolving needs of our aging
population."
Canada
needs to start spending smarter and adjusting our health care system for
chronic care of the aging, he said.
"Because
we are not prepared, 15 per cent of our acute-care hospital beds are occupied
by people who should be either at home with support services or in long-term
care," he added.
"We
are warehousing seniors in hospitals at $1,000 a day when long-term care would
cost $155 and home care $55. We need to spend smarter."
Simpson
said he was glad to see that the fiscal update documents make note of the
government's aim to retain the ability to respond to such challenges as
population aging.
However,
the CMA will be looking for detailed provisions in the next federal budget for
enhanced senior care and continued health care improvements, he said.
Simpson
added that the inability to care for seniors properly is the real reason behind
long wait times. "Wait times are not the price of public health."
In
Alberta, lack of continuing care beds has resulted in seniors being forced to
remain in active treatment hospitals, resulting in emergency room and acute
care delays.
Last
month the provincial government announced it would come up with the money to
open 450 existing continuing care beds and fast-track the construction of 300
more.
Critics
have pointed out that the problem has existed for years and that long-term care
beds, while Alberta maintains a policy of not constructing new long-term care
facilities.
Canada's
5.2 million citizens over age 65 are about 15 per cent of the population and
account for almost half the health costs. By 2036, those over 65 will account
for almost a quarter of the population.
Polling,
commissioned by the CMA, has repeatedly revealed widespread anxiety among
Canadians about their future health care in their retirement years.
According
to the organization, a Nanos poll conducted recently in the two Nov. 17
byelection ridings of Whitby-Oshawa and Yellowhead found that 36 per cent of
respondents felt Ottawa has done a poor job in preparing for future health care
needs during their retirement. Twenty-two per cent thought the federal
government was doing a good or very good job.
