Seniors
Over the next 10 years the number of Albertans over the age of 65 is expected to grow more than 40 percent. Alberta seniors helped shape this province. They contributed to its growth and prosperity, and continue to give their time and energy through community involvement. The government needs to talk to our seniors, their caregivers and the health care professionals that take care of them to discuss the opportunities and challenges associated with an aging population.
Health Care for Seniors
Health care continues to be a major concern for seniors in Alberta. Assuring our seniors have prompt access to the highest quality health care available means the government needs to focus on investing in long term care beds, increasing continuing care spaces, adding more home care and increasing the presence and quality of health care professionals especially by encouraging, training and graduating more gerontologists.
Alberta Senior Drug Plan
The government proposed a new prescription drug plan for seniors to become effective July 1, 2010. The Alberta Pharmaceutical Strategy included two components: a co-payment and a monthly premium. The new prescription plan would increase prescription drug costs for higher income seniors. Rather than increase cost burdens on seniors why not maintain the current drug plan, which requires seniors to pay only 30 percent of pharmaceutical costs up to a maximum of $25 per prescription, regardless of income.
Proposed changes to Alberta’s seniors’ drug plan scheduled to take effect July 1, 2010, have been delayed in order to address necessary legislative and regulatory changes and align with other government programs for seniors.
Home Care
For those seniors still able to live in their own home, family care giving is an emerging public health issue. Currently, home care services are less than adequate for most seniors. Seniors deserve to receive the treatment they require in the comfort of their own home, in assisted living arrangements or whatever living arrangements they currently enjoy. Homecare needs to be available when it is required and would decrease the number of acute and long term beds needed, therefore creating additional capacity in Alberta’s hospitals and emergency rooms.
Long Term Care
Those assessed as requiring long term care face long waiting lists, extended hospital stays, and placement perhaps far from their home communities, their loved ones, and families, due to the lack of long term care facilities. Many who can’t find a nursing home to fit their needs are forced to stay in facilities where the care they require is not available. Government must increase and improve the choice and availability of these accommodations.
My thanks to the many seniors I have spoken with. I value and appreciate your comments, concerns and suggestions. I look forward to our continued dialogue over the next several months. Please feel free to call, email or drop into the office.