Markham Economist and Sun
By: Kim Zarzour
Date: Apr 11, 2017
Section: News/Health Care
Circulation: 63065
Canada
will provide $6 billion over 10 years to expand access to home care and
palliative care and improve support to caregivers, Health Minister Jane
Philpott announced in Markham Tuesday.
In addition, the introduction of the new Canada Caregiver Credit and the
Employment Insurance caregiving benefit will support Canadians caring for
critically ill or injured family members, Philpott said during a visit to the
Saint Elizabeth Centre.
"We have to do better for Canadians," Philpott said. "Our health
care systems have to keep up with changing demographics."
Older Canadians and those with chronic diseases often want to live
independently but they face risks with a fear of falling and challenges getting
medication and healthy meals, she said, adding this often leads to
hospitalization and long-term care.
Palliative care, that lets people spend their last days with those they love,
is what people want and yet most die in hospital, she said.
Philpott said the average basic hospital stay in Ontario costs about $850 a
day, while basic home care costs as little as $55 a day.
"The fact that on any given day 15 per cent of hospital beds are occupied
by people who would like to be somewhere else, who could be moved to a more
appropriate setting, shows we have a lot of work to do."