Nine out of 10 (93%) Canadians believe Canada needs a pan-Canadian strategy for seniors health care at home, hospitals, hospices and long-term facilities, the Canadian Medical Association’s (CMA) 2013 National Report Card on health issues has found. In addition, an equal number believe a comprehensive strategy for seniors health care would improve the entire system by keeping elderly Canadians at home as long as possible, thereby lightening the load on hospitals and long-term care facilities, the Ipsos Reid poll found. Nine out of 10 respondents (89%) believe a national strategy for seniors should involve federal, provincial, territorial and municipal levels of government. And four in five (78%) believe the federal government has an important role to play in developing the strategy. Research shows that it costs $126 a day to provide care for a patient in a long-term care facility, versus $842 a day in a hospital. Of course, making it easier for elderly Canadians to stay at home while getting the care they need would be the preferred and most cost-effective option. “The results of this year’s CMA report card send a clear and direct message to policy-makers and public office holders that all levels of government need to act to address the demographic tsunami that is heading toward the health care system,’’ said past CMA President Dr. Anna Reid. The poll, conducted between July 17 and July 26 by phone with 1,000 Canadians 18 and over, found that four in five (83%) Canadians thought their health care in retirement years was a concern. The results show a majority (63%) believe home and community care should be the most important focus for governments when improving health care quality for senior citizens.
