Aug. 24, 2015 (Ottawa) – As part of a consortium of 35 organizations representing medical, patient and community stakeholders, HealthCareCAN supports the Policy Framework to Guide a National Seniors Strategy for Canada released today by the Canadian Medical Association. The document rightly points to an alarming forecast of the impact of Canada’s aging population on our healthcare system and to the fact that the country is ill-prepared to address it.

Moving forward with a national seniors care strategy, HealthCareCAN underscores the need to create and implement an action plan. “There are several very pressing needs facing seniors health right now especially regarding the frail elderly and their informal caregivers,” said Bill Tholl, President and CEO of HealthCareCAN. “Right now in Canada, more than 1.1 million older Canadians are deemed to be frail – a distinct health state characterized by debility, the presence of multiple, chronic health conditions, and higher risk of poor health care outcomes including death. We need an action plan that addresses first and foremost the needs of Canada’s most vulnerable citizens.”

A large and growing challenge is the issue of alternate levels of care (ALC) – hospital beds used by patients, many of them seniors, who no longer need acute care but are waiting for a long-term place or home care. “For HealthCareCAN members, hospitals and healthcare facilities across the country, the key challenge is to reduce the increasing number of ALC patients. Coming up with a plan now will contribute to better health, better care and better value for Canadians for the future”, he added.

HealthCareCAN is the national voice of healthcare organizations across Canada. We foster informed and continuous, results-oriented discovery and innovation across the continuum of healthcare. We act with others to enhance the health of the people of Canada; to build the capability for high quality care; and to help ensure value for money in publicly financed, healthcare programs.
Learn more about our organization at www.healthcarecan.ca. Follow us on Twitter: @HealthCareCAN

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For more information
Lucie Boileau
Director, Communications, Marketing and Government Relations
613-241-8005 ext. 205
lboileau@healthcarecan.ca