Along with the Canadian Association of Retired Persons, The Canadian Medical Association and The Conference Board of Canada are now also demanding a plan for seniors from the federal government.  Though we certainly cannot take credit for this development, we have every reason to celebrate the fact that influential institutions -- including these and provincial governments -- are now singing in the same key. 

Clearly, our petition is no longer a voice in the wilderness, and there is reason to hope that our federal government will take serious steps in better supporting seniors and their caregivers.  The first article below was posted by the Conference Board of Canada and the second article by the Canadian Medical Association.  The accompanying photo appeared in the CMA posting.

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"New federal seniors care benefit needed to help seniors and caregivers with increasing health expenses", March 11, 2019

A new study reveals that total private coverage for home care and long-term care in Canada is expected to balloon from $9.6 billion in 2018 to $23.5 billion in 2035. These costs are not covered by our health care system and represent a high financial burden on Canadian seniors, their families and care givers.

The study, Measures to Better Support Seniors and Their Caregivers by the Conference Board of Canada confirms that seniors and their caregivers face out-of-pocket expenses estimated at an average of $5,800 per year. These private costs are projected to significantly outpace the growth of disposable household income. While federal tax credits exist for caregiving and health expenses, the study notes they are largely ineffective in addressing the financial burden facing seniors and their families. These credits are underutilized and insufficient, with only 4.6% of caregivers receiving any support.

“Taking care of seniors comes at a high price for many Canadian families,” says Dr. Gigi Osler, CMA President. “Current programs are inadequate, and the issue will only get worse as our population ages. We must address this and provide the kind of support seniors and their families not only deserve but desperately need.”

The study explored two options that the federal government should consider to better support seniors and caregivers:

• Refundable tax credits that will boost the federal government’s support to seniors and their caregivers by an estimated $538 million in 2019. This will improve support to individuals, but won’t significantly reduce the financial burden as seniors and their caregivers, as they will still face $7.3 billion in expenses
• A new Seniors Care Benefit will provide direct financial support to both seniors and caregivers and increase federal reimbursement of private-care spending to $11.8 billion by 2035.

“With seniors aged 65 and over projected to make up nearly a quarter of our population by 2036, demand for health care will rise sharply, putting increased pressure on middle to low income families to help pay for care for their loved ones”, says study author Alan Arcand, Associate Director at The Conference Board of Canada.

The study, commissioned by the Canadian Medical Association, shows that while the federal government offers tax credits to support caregivers and seniors, these credits are currently insufficient in addressing the growing private care costs being carried by seniors and their caregivers, and vastly underutilized by the middle to lower income families that need the support most.

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Petition supporters are urged to click here to take action and send letters to their MPs, asking them for a new federal seniors care benefit.

The following article is the Conference Board's posting regarding DEMAND A PLAN:  "Seniors and caregivers need more financial support!"

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[The] federal budget touched on a broad range of issues that are important to Canadians. While these measures are welcome, more needs to be done to address the overall state of health and health care in Canada, says the Canadian Medical Association (CMA). As we approach the federal election later this year, the CMA will be looking for greater commitments from all political parties to address the growing disparities, most notably in seniors care; address the impact of climate change on health; and expand access to virtual care.

While the CMA recognizes the importance of improved financial security to Canada’s seniors, it remains concerned about the inadequacies in our health care system to deliver care for an aging population. Investments in a national dementia strategy represent a positive step, but government must also address the gaps in seniors care and the financial burden on caregivers and receivers, which the Conference Board of Canada estimates at nearly $10 B.

In supporting access to medication, the new centralized drug agency will have a welcome role in reducing drug prices and establishing a formulary for Canadians.  Along with a significant investment in medication for rare diseases, the key pillars are in place for a national approach to pharmacare.

The CMA welcomes the government’s commitment to improving access to high-speed internet for all Canadians.  This is a step in the right direction to enabling the implementation of virtual care and potentially improving access to care for rural, remote and Indigenous communities.

Recognizing the challenges in addressing mental health, dementia, organ donation, suicide prevention and opioids, investments in Budget 2019 fall short of ambitious commitments.

The CMA supports the government’s continued efforts to improve Canada’s contributions to meeting global climate change targets and looks forward to continued progress. Absent from the budget, however, are specific commitments to address the health effects of climate change on Canadians.