Long Term Care Leaders Call on Federal Parties to Share Their Plans for Meeting the Needs of Seniors

Canadian Alliance for Long Term Care asks Harper, Mulcair and Trudeau to outline their commitment to addressing the long term care needs of Canadian seniors

TORONTO, Oct. 6, 2015 /CNW/ - The Canadian Alliance for Long Term Care (CALTC) is calling on the federal parties to commit to tackling the challenges facing Canada's seniors in long term care if they form the next government. The call comes on the heels of an eye-opening new report from Statistics Canada that found for the first time in Canadian history, there are more seniors than children living in the country.

"We believe this election is an important opportunity to raise awareness of the issues facing seniors, and are seeking commitments from each of the political parties to make long term care a priority," said Candace Chartier, Chair of CALTC and CEO of the Ontario Long Term Care Association.  "We know that seniors and long term care are important to all of the parties, which is why we think that all parties should make it clear what their plans will be should they form the next government. Enhancing the care being provided to seniors in long term care needs to be an immediate priority."

CALTC recently wrote to leaders of the Conservative, Liberal, and NDP parties to get their views on issues of importance to the long term care sector in Canada and their party's plans to ensure the long term care needs of Canadian seniors are met today and in the future. To date, only the Liberals have responded. You can find the letters and responses here:

CALTC letter to Mr. Harper
CALTC letter to Mr. Mulcair
CALTC letter to Mr. Trudeau, Response from Liberal party

"Canadians share our concerns about the sustainability of long term care in Canada and about the system's capacity to meet the increasingly complex care needs of Canada's aging population," said Tammy Leach, CEO of the Alberta Continuing Care Association and CALTC Vice-Chair. "We look forward to hearing from the other two parties on their views and will be sharing this information with our homes and residents in the coming weeks in the lead up to the election. The time for action is now. Canada's long term care system needs to be able to care for seniors when living at home is no longer possible -- we need a government that will make seniors care a national priority," Leach added.

A recent poll done for CALTC by Nanos Research confirms that Canadians want the federal government to take action now to help ensure that seniors have to access long term care:

• 80% of respondents believe the federal government needs to take action and invest in our seniors in long term care.
• 93% of Canadians believe it is important for the federal government to work with the provinces to ensure that Canadians have access to the same level and quality of long term care regardless of where they live in Canada.
• 92% believe the federal government should ensure that long term care homes are prepared for the rising number of seniors with dementia.
• 89% believe the federal government should lead a national long term care strategy with benchmarks to address inequities in access and funding for long term care.
• 85% of Canadians surveyed believe the federal government should lead the development of a comprehensive, national dementia strategy.

About CALTC
CALTC is federally incorporated and the leading voice representing long term care providers that deliver publicly funded health care services to seniors across Canada. CALTC members represent long term care homes that deliver quality care to Canada's most vulnerable seniors every day.

CALTC's Provincial Association Members
Alberta Continuing Care Association
BC Care Providers Association
Denominational Health Association (BC)
Long Term and Continuing Care Association of Manitoba
New Brunswick Association of Nursing Homes
Health Association Nova Scotia
Ontario Long Term Care Association
Ontario Association of Non-Profit Homes and Services for Seniors
Prince Edward Island Nursing Home Association

SOURCE Canadian Alliance for Long Term Care

For further information: Patrick Nelson at [phone] or [email protected]; Visit www.caltc.ca