The elderly population in Canada is a vulnerable group that we cannot let slip through the cracks. Due to medical advancements and increased life expectancy, 16% of the world’s population is estimated to be over the age of 65 by 2050 (Wang & Wang, 2021). Changes must be made within the healthcare system to accommodate this large influx of seniors. The World Health Organization (2018) has been stressing a more patient-centred integrative approach to healthcare to provide seniors with as much autonomy as possible. If the structure of the healthcare system does not change, our hospitals will be more overcapacity than they already are, and our healthcare workers will be more burnt out.
There have been large efforts within research to promote patient-centred integrative care and to analyze what the best course of action is for Canada. Two common themes that would provide instant relief to the healthcare system include changing the hospital model for new, existing, and discharged patients and including a new intermediate care system that falls in between standard family practice and emergency care (Andrew & Rockwood, 2014). Firstly, the health model change consists of moving toward a “discharge to assess” model (Andrew & Rockwood, 2014). Here, patients are discharged from the hospital as soon as they are stable and rather than returning to the hospital or staying longer than they need, patients follow up with their community practitioners (Andrew & Rockwood, 2014). The change in the health model would alleviate future stressors on the healthcare system, avoid overcapacity in hospitals, and hopefully avoid burnout in healthcare staff. With current advancements in telemedicine due to the coronavirus pandemic, there is hope that the community subsector will not suffer because it is better equipped to deal with an influx as most seniors already have a family physician (Bestsennyy et al., 2021). The other change suggested is to introduce an intermediate care system (Andrew & Rockwood, 2014). The intermediate care system would fall between regular family practice care and emergency hospital care (Andrew & Rockwood, 2014). By having an intermediate care system to deal with minor emergencies, the hospital emergency rooms will be less full, lessening the load on the hospital system and providing a more efficient system (Andrew & Rockwood, 2014). These suggestions by Andrew & Rockwood (2014), were based on a UK model by Oliver et al. (2014). Oliver et al. (2014) provided an image displaying the ten components of care for older individuals. This diagram shows the ideal way to assist the ageing population from a patient-centred approach that does not strain the hospital system (Oliver et al., 2014). The methodology in the image allows for patient autonomy from the first signs of ageing to end-of-life decisions and care (Oliver et al., 2014). It nicely summarizes how our healthcare system should serve seniors in the future.
Overall, these ideas are the most realistic solutions which can be implemented quite quickly. However, it is one thing to discuss solutions and it is another to implement and act on them. The healthcare system must be prepared and begin implementing changes in practice to absorb the influx of the inevitable ageing population.
References
Andrew, M. K., & Rockwood, K. (2014). Making our health and care systems fit for an ageing population: Considerations for Canada. Canadian Geriatrics Journal, 17(4), 133–135. https://doi.org/10.5770/cgj.17.163
Bestsennyy, O., Gilbert, G., Harris, A., & Rost, J. (2022, February 28). Telehealth: A quarter-trillion-dollar post-covid-19 reality? McKinsey & Company. Retrieved March 28, 2022, from https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/healthcare-systems-and-services/our-insights/telehealth-a-quarter-trillion-dollar-post-covid-19-reality
Oliver, D., Foot, C., & Humphries, R. (2014). Making our health and care systems fit for an ageing population. King's Fund.
Wang, F., & Wang, J.-D. (2021). Investing preventive care and economic development in ageing societies: Empirical evidences from OECD countries. Health Economics Review, 11(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13561-021-00321-3
World Health Organization. (2018, April 12). How to adapt person-centered health services to ageing populations? YouTube. Retrieved March 28, 2022, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wp_SaMtMSZM
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