Category Archives: Seniors issues

02.22.11
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Senior population growing, but “boomerangst” over healthcare sustainability may be overblown

OTTAWA, February 22, 2011–A perception exists that healthcare expenditures will rise to unsustainable levels as the proportion of seniors in our population continues to grow, creating concerns about service cuts and/or tax increases. But costs do not increase uncontrollably just because there are more seniors. Research shows that the main drivers of healthcare costs in the years to come will be inflation and technological innovation, not demographics. The myth that
aging is an important cost driver is tackled in the latest issue of the Mythbusters series, published today by the Canadian Health Services Research Foundation (CHSRF), entitled “Myth: The aging population is to blame for uncontrollable healthcare costs.”

It’s true that seniors cost the system more per capita than younger people. They are more likely to have multiple chronic conditions, leading to more doctor visits and longer hospital stays, and greater “need” for pharmaceuticals. However, all people with multiple chronic conditions experience this level of need, and all people—old and young alike—in their final years of life tend to cost the system more.
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06.01.10
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New Long Term Care Funding Agreements to be negotiated with Local Health Integration Networks

Local Health Integration Networks (LHINs) are bound by the Local Health System Integration Act, 2006 to have service accountability agreements in place with all their Health Service Providers (HSP), including municipal long term care homes. The Long Term Care Service Accountability Agreements (LSAA) are the Agreements by which LHINs will flow funding to providers of long term care services including municipalities.

The LSAA template Agreement for LTC homes was developed on behalf of all LHINs by a steering committee co-chaired by Ministry and LHIN staff, in consultation with organizations representing service providers and funders. The LSAA consultation process began in the fall of 2009 and continued through to May 2010. The Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) was a member of the consultation table along with the City of Toronto, the Ontario Association of Non-Profit Homes and Services for Seniors (OANHSS), the Ontario Long Term Care Association (OLTCA) and the Ontario Hospital Association (OHA).

The LSAA was developed under challenging circumstances that include the introduction of the new Long Term Care compliance regulations. Both the LSAA and the regulations come into effect with the proclamation of the Long Term Care Homes Act in July.
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03.14.09
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First Alma, then seniors get the cold shoulder

From Bob Foster:
Dear MPP’s,
It’s time for someone to stand up and question Aileen Carroll,about her lack of concern for senior citizens in this province,and for her horrific handling of Ontario’s built heritage.I’ve attached a letter written by a senior citizen,who is concerned about his locked in pension,and Minister Carroll responded by telling the senior “he was not in her constituency”,and could not assist him in anyway.Imagine Aileen Carroll,minister responsible for seniors,and she pretty much told the gentleman (a senior citizen),she will not assist him with his pension concerns.He wrote a second letter informing her that since she was minister responsible for seniors,should she not be assisting all seniors in the province of Ontario.He stated he still has not received a response to his pension concerns.He also stated other senior citizens have had the same concerns with Aileen Carroll,not responding to their many letters.She has also been giving excuses to opposition members,when they rise in the legislature to ask what exactly is she doing to rectify the concern of these seniors.She is also neglecting her duties as Culture Minister,for which I have pointed out on many occasions,her lack of concern with built heritage issues in this province,now she is completely ignoring the seniors citizens in our province,by not addressing their concerns,especially during this time of economic uncertainty.Aileen Carroll needs to be called on the carpet,and asked why she refuses to respond to the citizens of this province,when they have serious concerns,that need her immediate attention.
I urge all members to please read the attached article.
Aileen Carroll