MISSISSAUGA,ON, Oct. 8, 2015 /CNW Telbec/ - The Canadian Home Care Association (CHCA) welcomes the report released today on Designing a National Seniors Strategy for Canada, by the Institute for Research on Public Policy (IRPP) Taskforce on Aging.
The CHCA is collaborating with a number of national non-government organizations to champion the development and adoption of a national seniors strategy. Our collective actions have encouraged federal party leaders to include seniors in their political platforms in this federal election. The discussions are building, and the report released by IRPP is now moving discussion to action.
Designing a National Seniors Strategy for Canada outlines four priority areas of focus, accompanied by recommended policy changes and a list of concrete actions that the federal government can take to support seniors across the country.
"We are pleased to see the holistic approach to action described in this report, and the identification of both home care and family caregivers as vital elements," said Nadine Henningsen, Executive Director, CHCA. "Home care is not just the preferred choice for most seniors, it is also both cost and care effective."
As our health system shifts from episodic acute care to chronic long term care, the demand for care in the home and community setting will continue to increase. This increase has not been reflected in amount of public funded health care dollars allocated to home care programs across the country. This chronic underfunding and under-resources leads to rationing of services and results in unnecessary hospitalization, premature admission to long-term care facilities, and increased stress on family caregivers.
Our health care system must undergo dramatic change. Visionary leadership from our federal government is needed now more than ever. The IRPP's report sets out a clear call to action to facilitate the changes required to meet the health care needs of our aging population.
The members of the CHCA are encouraged by the dialogue and action plan. We look forward to collaborating with stakeholders and governments to advance a national senior strategy. The outcome of this work will enable all seniors to safely receive care in their own homes and support their continued dignity, independence and quality of life.
About the Canadian Home Care Association
The Canadian Home Care Association (CHCA), incorporated in 1990, is a national not-for-profit membership association representing home care stakeholders from governments (federal, provincial and territorial), health authorities, publicly funded home care programs, service providers, medical and technology companies, researchers and others with an interest in home care. The CHCA advances excellence in home care and continuing care through leadership, awareness, advocacy and knowledge.
SOURCE Canadian Home Care Association
Catherine Suridjan, MSW, RSW, Policy Analyst, Canadian Home Care Association, Tel: 289 290 4422 | E-mail: [email protected], @CdnHomeCare
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