Issue link: http://clhia.uberflip.com/i/354914
4 ANALYSIS AND RECOMMENDATIONS The CLHIA puts forward a number of recommendations for government and stakeholder consideration. The recommendations are grouped into six broad areas: • structural reform to address the funding shortfall; • encouraging Canadians to save for long-term care; • patient centered approach to long-term care; • restructuring of long-term care to recognize the continuum of care; • ensuring sufficient capacity of long-term care providers; and • encouraging health and wellness promotion. 1. STRUCTURAL REFORM TO ADDRESS THE FUNDING SHORTFALL Over the next 35 years, as the baby boomer generation passes through old age, long-term care costs will rise dramatically. Long-term care costs fall under the category of 'extended health care services' in the Canada Health Act and therefore can be charged for at either partial or full private rates. The support that is offered through continuing care programs in the provinces and territories varies greatly in terms of eligibility, scope and coverage and user fees. Unless they qualify for government support programs, Canadians are responsible for their own long-term care costs. Nevertheless, many Canadians continue to believe that there are existing government programs that will cover their long-term care needs. Currently, long-term care is delivered in a range of settings including acute care hospitals, institutional long-term care facilities and care at home. The cost per day of providing support varies dramatically depending on the type of setting. For example, the North East Ontario Local Health Integration Network (LHIN) found that the average daily cost of a hospital bed, long-term care bed and home care are $842, $126 and $42, respectively. 8 In Canada today, on a daily basis: • 7,550 of hospital beds, or roughly 7 per cent of all hospital beds in Canada, are taken up by individuals receiving long-term care, 9 • 7 per cent of Canadians age 65 and older reside in long-term care facilities, 10 and • 8 per cent of Canadians aged 65 to 74, 20 per cent aged 75 to 84 and 42 per cent over 85 years of age receive home care. 11 7, 8 North East LHIN. (2011) HOME First Shifts care of Seniors to HOME. LHINfo Minute, Northeastern Ontario Health Care Update. http://www.nelhin.on.ca/WorkArea/showcontent.aspx?id=11258 9 Dr. Jeffrey Turnbull, President, Canadian Medical Association, February 2011, OECD Health Data 2011 and CLHIA calculations. 10 Sun Life Financial, http://www.sunlife.ca/Plan/Health/Long+Term+Care+Insurance+- +Do+I+need+it?vgnLocale=en_CA Table 1: Costs of Different Types of Care Treatment 7 Type of Care Average Daily cost ($) Hospital bed 842 Long-term care bed 126 Home Care 42