Canadian Medical Association Demands a Plan for Seniors

Canadians can now add their voice to the call for a National Seniors Strategy

OTTAWA, April 27, 2015 /CNW/ - Canada's seniors are not getting the health care they deserve — not even close. Our system was created over half a century ago to meet the needs of a much younger population and we have not adapted to meet the growing number of aging Canadians.

The Canadian Medical Association and an alliance of partner organizations have decided to do something about it. Demand a Plan is a public campaign to encourage development of a national strategy on seniors care. So far thousands of Canadians have added their voice to the call for a National Seniors Strategy.

Tweets

• 8 in 10 Canadians are concerned about having access to high quality home care and long-term care in their future. #seniorsplan
• There are 3.1 million informal caregivers in Canada. They provide over 1.5 billion hours of home and community care each year. #seniorsplan
• More than 60% of caregivers experience a high level of stress from being a caregiver.  #seniorsplan

Quotes

"Canada's physicians want to give Canadians from all walks of life the opportunity to have their voice heard loud and clear on critical issues.  Demand a Plan asks Canadians to be part of a movement that will help bring about the change we need to save our health care system.

Whether it's a lack of investment in long-term care facilities or home care, Canada's seniors are not getting the care they deserve. There is no time to wait to find out what's going to happen in the next 15 years if we don't have a plan.

Our ultimate goal is for Canada to have a national seniors strategy in place by 2019. We can't do this alone. We need the help of Canadians to carry the message forward and make seniors care a ballot box issue during the next federal election."

-Dr. Chris Simpson
President, Canadian Medical Association

The Canadian Medical Association (CMA) is the national voice of Canadian physicians. Founded in 1867, the CMA is a voluntary professional organization representing more than 80,000 of Canada's physicians and comprising 12 provincial and territorial medical associations and 60 national medical organizations. CMA's mission is helping physicians care for patients. The CMA will be the leader in engaging and serving physicians and be the national voice for the highest standards for health and health care.

or to arrange an interview with Dr. Simpson please contact:

SOURCE Canadian Medical Association

Video with caption: "Canadian Medical Association Demands a Plan for Seniors". Video available at: http://youtu.be/rwvpRYCMeLg

Dominique Jolicoeur, CMA Communications, Email: [email protected], tel: [phone] x2038, Cell: 613.809.5669