Governments should provide more funding for informal caregivers: CMA

The CMA presented recommendations to a Parliamentary committee studying how to adapt the healthcare system to meet the challenges of a rapidly aging demographic. With the seniors population expected to double in the next three decades, the CMA suggests governments do the following:

• Invest in residential care infrastructure and implement operating principles for home care to include funding for caregivers and respite care;
• Target funding to support the development of a pan-Canadian seniors strategy to address the needs of the aging population;
• Formulate a pharmaceutical strategy that addresses coverage of essential medicines and programs to encourage optimal prescribing and drug therapy;
• Increase collaboration between governments and with private insurers to develop a framework for the funding and delivery of home care and LTC services;
• Identify best practices in the care of seniors and monitor the impact of interventions on health outcomes and costs; and
• Promote physical activity, nutrition, injury prevention and mental health programs among older Canadians.