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Toward a Dementia Strategy for Canada: CMA Submission to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance
https://policybase.cma.ca/en/permalink/policy10674
- Policy Type
- Parliamentary submission
- Date
- 2013-01-21
- Text
- As Canada's population ages, concern is growing about the capacity of our health care system to respond to the increased demands that will be placed on it. Of particular concern is the capacity to deal with an expected surge in the prevalence of Alzheimer's disease and other dementias, a major cause of disability in Canadians aged 65 and older. The Canadian Medical Association (CMA) shares this concern. In August 2012, CMA's General Council passed a resolution supporting the development of a national dementia strategy. Background About three quarters of a million Canadians currently live with Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia and cognitive impairment. People with dementia may live for years with the condition, and will eventually need round-the-clock care. Our knowledge of how to prevent dementia is limited, and we do not fully understand its causes. Though treatments are available that may delay progression of the patient's condition, there is no known cure. Dementia currently costs Canada roughly $33 billion per year, both in direct health care expenses and in indirect costs, such as lost earnings of the patient's caregivers. Since the number one risk factor for dementia is age, there is no question that with the aging of Canada's population, its prevalence will increase. The Alzheimer Society of Canada predicts that by 2031, 1.4 million Canadians will have dementia, and by 2040 the annual cost to the country will reach $293 billion. Other countries, including Australia, Norway, Netherlands, France, and the United Kingdom, have developed national strategies to address the dementia epidemic. CMA recommends strongly that Canada join this list. A national strategy could address issues of pressing concern such as * The need for research on the prevention and treatment of dementia; * The occupation of acute-care hospital beds by patients with dementia while awaiting placement in more appropriate long-term care settings. This both increases health-care costs and exacerbates Canada's waiting-list problem, blocking hospital beds which could otherwise be used for other patients. * The emotional and financial burden faced by spouses, children or other informal caregivers of patients with dementia. A Dementia Strategy for Canadians Given the terrible toll that dementia currently takes on Canadians and their health care, and given the certainty that this toll will grow more severe in coming decades, the CMA believes that it is vital for Canada to develop a focused strategy to address it. The Alzheimer Society of Canada recommends that a national dementia strategy encompass the following elements: 1. Increased investment in research on key aspects of dementia, including prevention, treatment options, and improving quality of life. 2. Increased support for informal caregivers. This should take several forms. a. Financial support. The 2011 federal budget introduced a Family Caregiver Tax Credit of up to $300 a year. However, this does not adequately reimburse the cost of a caregiver's time, which studies have shown is often much higher. b. Programs to relieve the stress experienced by caregivers; this can include education and skill-building, and the provision of respite care and other support services. 3. An emphasis on brain health and risk reduction, early diagnosis and intervention. 4. An integrated system of care facilitated by effective co-ordination and case management. 5. A strengthened dementia workforce, which includes both developing an adequate supply of specialists and improving the diagnosis and treatment capabilities of all frontline health professionals. The Government of Canada has supported similar condition-specific strategies, most recently the Canadian Cancer Strategy, initially funded in 2006 and renewed for five years beyond 2012. This strategy focuses on prevention and screening, early detection, clinical care, supporting the patient's journey, targeted research, and work with the First Nations, Inuit and Metis communities. We believe that a national strategy for dementia, bringing together partners such as the Alzheimer Society of Canada, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (Institute of Aging), the Canadian Caregiver Coalition, and other patient and health professional groups, will enhance the ability of our health care system to respond to the coming dementia epidemic in a compassionate and cost-effective manner. In 2012, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (Institute of Aging) and the Alzheimer Society of Canada have invested about $30 million in research. We propose that an initial investment in a National Dementia Strategy be $25 million per year for five years: $10 million for research, $10 million for caregiver support and respite care, and $5 million for knowledge transfer, partnership development and administrative support. Therefore the Canadian Medical Association recommends: That the Government of Canada fund the development and implementation of a National Dementia Strategy for an initial five-year period. The CMA is ready to work with governments, patients and their families, health professional associations and other stakeholders to make this recommendation a reality. Sources: Alzheimer Society of Canada. A New Way of Looking at Dementia in Canada. Based on a study conducted by RiskAnalytica. C. 2010 Canadian Medical Association. A More Robust Economy Through a Healthier Population. 2012-2013 pre-budget submission.
Documents
Town-hall consultations on the social determinants of health
https://policybase.cma.ca/en/permalink/policy10905
- Date
- 2013-08-21
- Topics
- Health systems, system funding and performance
- Population health/ health equity/ public health
- Resolution
- GC13-101
- The Canadian Medical Association will develop and implement a strategy to encourage collaborative action on the recommendations raised during its recent town-hall consultations on the social determinants of health.
- Policy Type
- Policy resolution
- Date
- 2013-08-21
- Topics
- Health systems, system funding and performance
- Population health/ health equity/ public health
- Resolution
- GC13-101
- The Canadian Medical Association will develop and implement a strategy to encourage collaborative action on the recommendations raised during its recent town-hall consultations on the social determinants of health.
- Text
- The Canadian Medical Association will develop and implement a strategy to encourage collaborative action on the recommendations raised during its recent town-hall consultations on the social determinants of health.
Patient-focused Funding
https://policybase.cma.ca/en/permalink/policy8729
- Last Reviewed
- 2014-03-01
- Date
- 2007-02-24
- Topics
- Population health/ health equity/ public health
- Health systems, system funding and performance
- Resolution
- BD07-04-143
- The Canadian Medical Association will study the implications and potential for the introduction of “Patient-focused Funding” on a priority basis.
- Policy Type
- Policy resolution
- Last Reviewed
- 2014-03-01
- Date
- 2007-02-24
- Topics
- Population health/ health equity/ public health
- Health systems, system funding and performance
- Resolution
- BD07-04-143
- The Canadian Medical Association will study the implications and potential for the introduction of “Patient-focused Funding” on a priority basis.
- Text
- The Canadian Medical Association will study the implications and potential for the introduction of “Patient-focused Funding” on a priority basis.
Canada Extended Health Services Act
https://policybase.cma.ca/en/permalink/policy8840
- Last Reviewed
- 2014-03-01
- Date
- 2007-08-22
- Topics
- Population health/ health equity/ public health
- Health systems, system funding and performance
- Resolution
- GC07-10
- The Canadian Medical Association will develop a policy framework and design principles for access to publicly funded medically necessary services in the home and community setting that can become the basis for urging governments to develop a Canada Extended Health Services Act.
- Policy Type
- Policy resolution
- Last Reviewed
- 2014-03-01
- Date
- 2007-08-22
- Topics
- Population health/ health equity/ public health
- Health systems, system funding and performance
- Resolution
- GC07-10
- The Canadian Medical Association will develop a policy framework and design principles for access to publicly funded medically necessary services in the home and community setting that can become the basis for urging governments to develop a Canada Extended Health Services Act.
- Text
- The Canadian Medical Association will develop a policy framework and design principles for access to publicly funded medically necessary services in the home and community setting that can become the basis for urging governments to develop a Canada Extended Health Services Act.
Continuum of care
https://policybase.cma.ca/en/permalink/policy8844
- Last Reviewed
- 2014-03-01
- Date
- 2007-08-22
- Topics
- Population health/ health equity/ public health
- Health systems, system funding and performance
- Health care and patient safety
- Resolution
- GC07-14
- The Canadian Medical Association believes that the issue of the continuum of care must go beyond the question of financing and tackle questions related to the organisation of medicine and to the shared and joint responsibilities of individuals, communities and governments in matters of health care and promotion, prevention and rehabilitation.
- Policy Type
- Policy resolution
- Last Reviewed
- 2014-03-01
- Date
- 2007-08-22
- Topics
- Population health/ health equity/ public health
- Health systems, system funding and performance
- Health care and patient safety
- Resolution
- GC07-14
- The Canadian Medical Association believes that the issue of the continuum of care must go beyond the question of financing and tackle questions related to the organisation of medicine and to the shared and joint responsibilities of individuals, communities and governments in matters of health care and promotion, prevention and rehabilitation.
- Text
- The Canadian Medical Association believes that the issue of the continuum of care must go beyond the question of financing and tackle questions related to the organisation of medicine and to the shared and joint responsibilities of individuals, communities and governments in matters of health care and promotion, prevention and rehabilitation.
Informal caregivers
https://policybase.cma.ca/en/permalink/policy8846
- Last Reviewed
- 2014-03-01
- Date
- 2007-08-22
- Topics
- Population health/ health equity/ public health
- Health systems, system funding and performance
- Health care and patient safety
- Resolution
- GC07-16
- The Canadian Medical Association and its provincial/territorial medical associations and affiliates recommend that governments undertake pilot studies to support informal caregivers and long-term care patients, including those that: a. explore tax credits and/or direct compensation to compensate informal caregivers for their work; b. expand relief programs for informal caregivers that provide guaranteed access to respite services in emergency situations; c. expand income and asset testing for residents requiring assisted living and long-term care; and d. promote information on advanced directives and representation agreements for patients.
- Policy Type
- Policy resolution
- Last Reviewed
- 2014-03-01
- Date
- 2007-08-22
- Topics
- Population health/ health equity/ public health
- Health systems, system funding and performance
- Health care and patient safety
- Resolution
- GC07-16
- The Canadian Medical Association and its provincial/territorial medical associations and affiliates recommend that governments undertake pilot studies to support informal caregivers and long-term care patients, including those that: a. explore tax credits and/or direct compensation to compensate informal caregivers for their work; b. expand relief programs for informal caregivers that provide guaranteed access to respite services in emergency situations; c. expand income and asset testing for residents requiring assisted living and long-term care; and d. promote information on advanced directives and representation agreements for patients.
- Text
- The Canadian Medical Association and its provincial/territorial medical associations and affiliates recommend that governments undertake pilot studies to support informal caregivers and long-term care patients, including those that: a. explore tax credits and/or direct compensation to compensate informal caregivers for their work; b. expand relief programs for informal caregivers that provide guaranteed access to respite services in emergency situations; c. expand income and asset testing for residents requiring assisted living and long-term care; and d. promote information on advanced directives and representation agreements for patients.
Mental health resources
https://policybase.cma.ca/en/permalink/policy8847
- Last Reviewed
- 2014-03-01
- Date
- 2007-08-22
- Topics
- Health systems, system funding and performance
- Population health/ health equity/ public health
- Resolution
- GC07-17
- The Canadian Medical Association, provincial/territorial medical associations and affiliates urge governments to ensure adequate mental health resources are available to the military personnel and their families.
- Policy Type
- Policy resolution
- Last Reviewed
- 2014-03-01
- Date
- 2007-08-22
- Topics
- Health systems, system funding and performance
- Population health/ health equity/ public health
- Resolution
- GC07-17
- The Canadian Medical Association, provincial/territorial medical associations and affiliates urge governments to ensure adequate mental health resources are available to the military personnel and their families.
- Text
- The Canadian Medical Association, provincial/territorial medical associations and affiliates urge governments to ensure adequate mental health resources are available to the military personnel and their families.
Long-term health care
https://policybase.cma.ca/en/permalink/policy8851
- Last Reviewed
- 2014-03-01
- Date
- 2007-08-22
- Topics
- Health systems, system funding and performance
- Population health/ health equity/ public health
- Resolution
- GC07-21
- The Canadian Medical Association urges governments to study the creation of a compulsory contributions-based social insurance plan to cover long-term health care needs.
- Policy Type
- Policy resolution
- Last Reviewed
- 2014-03-01
- Date
- 2007-08-22
- Topics
- Health systems, system funding and performance
- Population health/ health equity/ public health
- Resolution
- GC07-21
- The Canadian Medical Association urges governments to study the creation of a compulsory contributions-based social insurance plan to cover long-term health care needs.
- Text
- The Canadian Medical Association urges governments to study the creation of a compulsory contributions-based social insurance plan to cover long-term health care needs.
Canada Health Act
https://policybase.cma.ca/en/permalink/policy8856
- Last Reviewed
- 2014-03-01
- Date
- 2007-08-22
- Topics
- Health systems, system funding and performance
- Population health/ health equity/ public health
- Resolution
- GC07-26
- The Canadian Medical Association and its provincial/territorial medical associations will advocate for a discussion on opening the Canada Health Act because it limits the ability to fund "the continuum of care".
- Policy Type
- Policy resolution
- Last Reviewed
- 2014-03-01
- Date
- 2007-08-22
- Topics
- Health systems, system funding and performance
- Population health/ health equity/ public health
- Resolution
- GC07-26
- The Canadian Medical Association and its provincial/territorial medical associations will advocate for a discussion on opening the Canada Health Act because it limits the ability to fund "the continuum of care".
- Text
- The Canadian Medical Association and its provincial/territorial medical associations will advocate for a discussion on opening the Canada Health Act because it limits the ability to fund "the continuum of care".
Putting Patients First: Patient-Centred Collaborative Care - A Discussion Paper
https://policybase.cma.ca/en/permalink/policy8863
- Last Reviewed
- 2014-03-01
- Date
- 2007-08-22
- Topics
- Physician practice/ compensation/ forms
- Population health/ health equity/ public health
- Resolution
- GC07-34
- The Canadian Medical Association endorses the strategic policy directions outlined in the CMA document Putting Patients First: Patient-Centred Collaborative Care - A Discussion Paper as necessary elements of any collaborative care team.
- Policy Type
- Policy resolution
- Last Reviewed
- 2014-03-01
- Date
- 2007-08-22
- Resolution
- GC07-34
- The Canadian Medical Association endorses the strategic policy directions outlined in the CMA document Putting Patients First: Patient-Centred Collaborative Care - A Discussion Paper as necessary elements of any collaborative care team.
- Text
- The Canadian Medical Association endorses the strategic policy directions outlined in the CMA document Putting Patients First: Patient-Centred Collaborative Care - A Discussion Paper as necessary elements of any collaborative care team.