CMA National Report Card on Health Care Reinforces Need for National Strategy on Health Care for Seniors

MISSISSAUGA, ON, Aug. 19, 2013 /CNW/ - The Canadian Home Care Association (CHCA) welcomes the findings from the survey conducted for the Canadian Medical Association (CMA) 2013 National Report Card on Health Care.  This report includes the opinion of Canadians on the overall health care system and on key aspects - specifically the Future of Seniors' Health Care.

"The survey findings reinforce what home care providers hear everyday," stated John Schram, President, CHCA. "There are clear opportunities to improve care for seniors, especially in home and community care." The number of individuals receiving home care has increased by 55% from 2008 to 2011.  Of the 1.4 million Canadians that received home care in 2011; 800,000 were seniors (individuals 65 year of age and over), which equates to one in every six seniors.  Home care helps frail seniors live independently, offers cost effective alternatives to hospital and long-term facility based care, and is a critical part of chronic disease management.

The CMA 2013 National Report Card on Health Care states that nearly all Canadians recognize the need for a national strategy on health care for seniors and believe this would improve the entire health care system. "Although provinces and territories have made commitments to enhancing home care for seniors, we have not seen a shift in the funding and resources to support new programs and services." said Nadine Henningsen, Executive Director, CHCA.  "Of the $3,957.00 public dollars spent per Canadian in 2010, only $159.00 was spent on home care.  In fact, the percentage of public health care funding to home care from the provinces and territories has either decreased or not changed over the past five years."

The CMA 2013 National Report Card on Health Care reveals that six in ten Canadians will need to rely on a public system of home care and long term care if needed later in life. The same proportion said they lack confidence in the current health system's ability when it comes to caring for Canada's aging population. "With increasing demand and limited resources, the onus of care falls on family caregivers; the majority of whom are women, to provide  home care to the frail elderly and those with chronic, long-term conditions," said Donna Dill, Past-President, CHCA.  "It is not surprising that the survey shows that those most concerned include women, Canadians between 35 to 54 years old, and Canadians already caring for an elderly person outside their home."

Given the finding that 77% of Canadians are worried about their personal access to home care and long-term care, it is imperative that all governments and stakeholders commit to immediate action. The CHCA recommends the following actions to ensure a sustainable home care system across Canada.

• Increase the percentage of public health care funding allocated to home care to meet the long-term, chronic care needs of Canadians.
• Support the vital role of family caregivers through programs that safeguard their health, minimize financial burden, and provide them with information and resources.
• Adopt the CHCA Harmonized Principles for Home Care as a foundation for a pan-Canadian strategy to achieve a level of consistency across the country, while respecting important jurisdictional differences.

The home care sector plays a vital role in meeting the health needs of Canadians through better care, better outcomes and better value. Governments, health care consumers, and tax payers expect quality, efficiency and value for their health care investment.  Canadians have shared their views; it is time to act upon them.

About the Canadian Home Care Association
The Canadian Home Care Association (CHCA) is a national not-for-profit membership association dedicated to ensuring the availability of accessible, responsive home care and community supports to enable people to safely stay in their homes with dignity, independence, and quality of life. The CHCA, as the national voice of home care, promotes excellence through leadership, advocacy, awareness and knowledge. For more information, visit the CHCA website at www.cdnhomecare.ca.

SOURCE: Canadian Home Care Association

For more information please contact: 
Nadine Henningsen, Executive Director, Canadian Home Care Association
289-290-4389     [email protected]