Trends In the Canadian Health Care System

[Photograph of young and aged hands]. Retrieved May 13, 2016, from:http://hosted-p0.vresp.com/840495/5ebfe591c1/ARCHIVE

One trend that is dominating the Canadian health care system is the rise in elderly patients. According to the Canadian Medical Association, it is estimated that by 2036, seniors will account for 62 percent of Canada’s Health Care costs (Ostroff, 2015). Growing up as a millennial, I heard many theories about what the retirement of the Canadian Baby Boomer Generation could look like.  Some said there would be no money left in the Canadian Pension Plan for the future generations. Others said that the inability to fill all the vacant jobs positions would be a problem, so we would need to increase immigration. Something I didn’t hear however was how an aging population would overwhelm the Canadian health care system.  Working in the Health Care system as a nurse, I can see daily how overwhelmed our system has become with an influx of seniors awaiting placement for assisted living, long-term care and palliative beds.

In the article (see link below), I have chosen to reflect this trend, there are some incredible statistics. I really appreciate Dr. Chris Simpson’s honesty throughout the article and acknowledgment that this has become a Health Care crisis. Having had an opportunity to work as a community nurse the past 3 years, I agree with Dr. Simpson’s thoughts to “de-hospitalize the health-care system and invest more into home care solutions” (Ostroff, 2015). If you were to ask any Baby Boomer where they see themselves in 10 years, the majority would say still at home. Currently seniors can access home care for support with activities of daily living (ADLs) such as medication reminders, bathing, and assistance with dressing. However, there is no current federal or provincial funding in place for seniors to be assisted with housework or to do house modifications, which would allow them to stay in their home longer. When our hospital’s become overcrowded with seniors awaiting placement it affects the entire Canadian Population. It means fewer hospital beds available for all age groups and unfair treatment to a generation who helped build Canada into the thriving country it is today. 

Article

 http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2015/10/13/national-seniors-strategy-canada-elon-eldercare_n_8260078.html

 Reference
Ostroff, J. (2013, October 13). How To Defuse The Baby Boomer 'Demographic Bomb' And Save Health Care. Retrieved May 05, 2016, from http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2015/10/13/national-seniors-strategy-canada-election-eldercare_n_8260078.html

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