Health is where the home is
CNA says health begins at home and almost all Canadians agree: nearly 90 per cent say it’s important that we be able to age at home and have access to health care in a home setting.
To help bring this about, CNA has been making three specific recommendations to federal candidates, major political parties and the government over the past several months, pointing out where they can lead meaningful change for healthy aging and seniors care:
- Establish common standards for home health care
- Give more support to family caregivers
- Improve community- and home-based health promotion
Why are common home care standards of value?
Home care in Canada is currently a patchwork, with a mix of varied public and private services among the provinces and territories. As a result, Canadians’ access to health care at home has more to do with where they live than what they need. By establishing common standards across Canada, the federal government could make sure Canadians have equitable access to a certain level of care.
Why is it important to give family caregivers more support?
Canadians who provide care for aging family members are indispensable to the well-being of our seniors and to our overburdened health-care system. Giving them more support would give a hand up to Canadians who must balance jobs and families while caring for an aging relative or friend.
Why should we focus on healthy and active aging?
Preventive activities and programs can help seniors maintain or improve their health. The biggest benefit of these activities is that they can reduce falls — the leading cause of injury-related hospitalizations among Canadian seniors. Exercise programs that improve balance and strength are one of the most effective and low-cost ways to improve a person’s stability. They also help manage chronic diseases and improve seniors’ social engagement.