Health Services Committee Briefing Notes February 25, 2025

ACER-CART Federal Election Preparation

The brochure “Seniors Issues for 2025 Election” will be shared with all the Provincial Presidents which they in turn are invited to share with their organizations.
A one-page “Questions for Candidates” has also been prepared for use in town hall meetings and door-to-door visits.
Questions will not be sent to the political candidates in advance of the election as it is most often political staffers who answer these questions rather than the candidate themselves.
NewMode will be employed during the upcoming election.

Information gathering chart

The availability of RSV and Shingles vaccines would be added to the list.
When the individual responses are received, a compilation and analysis will be completed to share with the committee.
Clarification: “Community Supports” include the process and procedures in place to facilitate Ageing at Home, such as home care workers, social workers, occupational therapists etc.

Assessing Strategies for a Long-Term Care Labour Force

This document outlines many of the problems found in our local areas.
One very common deficiency is the number of home care workers. Some provinces have initiated programs where tuition for home care worker programs is subsidized or free, moving the program from private colleges to the public college offerings, language education for people working in the home care field ( a large number of front line workers are new to Canada), work-school set ups so that students of the homecare programs can gain experience, obtain wages and study at the same time.)

Fundraising is being used to fund hospitals across the country in one way or another.

The Waterloo Mental Health in an Ageing Population

This study is a partnership with CAARE (Canadian Aging, Action, Research and Education).
Goal #1: To build and sustain authentic partnerships between researchers, health and social care providers, older adults, caregivers, funders and policymakers interested in working together to advance aging and mental health care, treatment and support in Canada
Goal #2: To support the co-design and completion of research and action-oriented projects addressing Canadians’ priority questions.
Goal #3: To advocate and/or apply for funding to support the priorities and activities of the group.
The CAARE group meets quarterly, with collaboration between meetings designed to help bridge knowledge to practice gaps in aging and mental health, contributing to a more responsive future health system in Canada.

A presentation on bullying is set to be given at RTAM.

ACER-CART Meeting with Friends of Medicare

Pharmacare – there is a concern that the federal government is waiting for all provinces to sign on to the program before services are utilized. Minister Holland indicated that there is progress in getting provincial buy in for the program.
Dental Care – Chris Galloway (Friends of Medicare in Alberta) was not aware of the problem our members are incurring, in that they are ineligible for enrolment in the program if they were eligible for dental care insurance at any point in their careers. He was also unaware that if in some cases retired teachers were erroneously admitted to the program, received care and are now being requested to repay the program for services received. Galloway has since written to politicians supporting our concerns about the rules and regulations surrounding the dental health program.
Privatization of Health Care – Friends of Medicare are distressed about the concept of privatized health care. Given Pierre Poilievre’s previous public statement about privatization, the concept could become a reality if the Conservatives are successful in the next election.

Newfoundland and Labrador delegation meet Minister for Seniors Joanne Thompson on Jan. 30, 2025.

Minister Thompson indicated that she has heard concerns during her time in office, she acknowledged that while good things have been achieved, more work is needed.
The need for a National Seniors Strategy – the Minister asking for clarification. It was explained that there were several strategies happening, but an over-arching umbrella is lacking. A National Seniors’ Strategy would provide a foundation, a framework that would protect the rights of older persons, indicate the priorities and values related to seniors and the important role seniors have played in developing our country and provide guidance on policies affecting seniors.
The Safe Long-Term Care Act – currently on hold. The Minister stressed that it was very important for her, and she had been watching it during the Fall Seating hoping to bring it to the floor. It is ready to go but it needs to be debated. When questioned whether a change of government would mean that it had to start over, the Minister indicated that wouldn’t’ be the case. It was stated that the people want this in place and that the Federal Government need to hold the provinces accountable.
The Canada Dental Plan – needs to be kept in place. When the minister was asked whether it would disappear with a change in government, she stated that she understood that both the dental and Pharmacare plans play a pivotal role in maintaining the health of individuals and preventing chronic illnesses and need to be finalized and accepted.
Aging at Home and its associated problems – the lack of sufficient caregivers and assistance given to family members who are caring for aging relatives whether they are living in their home or not. Many family caregivers do not have the necessary training or tools, and they suffer from burnout. Providing more assistance to Aging at Home is more cost effective than acute care. One problem is no consideration is given to fixed expenses or the cost of living in general when considering who is eligible. The income levels need to be increased to better ensure those in need receive the assistance they need. The focus needs to be on assisting individuals in staying out of Long-Term Care as long as is possible.
Telecommunications – rate charged by Bell and Rogers. Individuals were quoted a rate, but it increased shortly after signing up with the provider. It was noted that the government met with officials of Bell and Rogers for discussions.

ACER-CART PARTICIPATION IN SEMINARS WITH SERVICE PROVIDERS

The ACER-CART president has been invited to participate in two webinars with service providers Telus, Rogers, Bell, and Videotron. Telecommunications executives were informed that the services provided and the way they are provided are seriously lacking when seniors are involved. Seniors cannot access the plans or equipment to meet their needs. They are bombarded with information on different plans, when they reach out to service providers. The conversations they engage in regarding plans and add-ons are confusing and convoluted, and quite often customers are not sure which plan they are discussing at any given time. Consumers are being talked into unnecessary upgrades despite the technology not always being available in their area. Sales staff are rude, use technical language that is not familiar to seniors, they are aggressive and engage in ageism when dealing with seniors.

Cost of plans are not in keeping with comparable plans in other countries.

Report on Long Term Care and Personal Care Homes – Government Newfoundland and Labrador

Recommendations from this long-awaited report:

Further investments in maintenance, renovation and new construction that align with leading practice design standards.
Improve the quality, choice and flexibility of meals for residents.
Improving access to meaningful activities and recreational programs.
Enhance opportunities and supporting residents to maintain connections in the community.
Improve access to medical, therapeutic and other health-related services.
Improve the recruitment and retention of staff.
Enhance staff training and education.

We will continue to monitor the implementation of these recommendations.

Co-housing information from the McMaster University Optimal Aging Portal

Co-housing is noted as being a set-up where a small group seniors live together in a shared living arrangement and hire a caregiver to assist them with their daily needs
Embracing this model would reduce the warehousing of seniors.