Tag Archives: health care

More Older Canadians Will Strain Federal Finances

Posted on by
No Gravatar

Statistics Canada has some good news to report:

Canadians are now living longer according to Statistics Canada. For those born within the last two years, life expectancy has increased by more than two years, as compared to 10 years ago. The agency says much of the gains in Canadian life expectancy come from men, even though women still live the longest. Men’s life expectancy at birth rose by 2.9 years to 78.3 in 2005-2007. Among women it increased by 1.8 years to 83.0.

Life expectancy among seniors is also on an upward trend, as it has been for several years. The average man who has already made it to the age of 65 could expect to live an additional 18.1 years in 2005-2007. That’s an increase of two years from the previous decade. A 65-year-old woman can expect to live an additional 21.3 years, up by 1.3 years.

It may be good news, but it may create real problems for the total budget. The office of Parliamentary Budget Officer Kevin Page reports that the Aging population will soon strain federal finances.

The government faces a renewed battle with the provinces over health-care cash as Canada’s greying population puts an increasing strain on federal finances in the coming decades. … It is a battle that will also be fought along generational lines, as public services for Canadian seniors account for a growing proportion of federal spending, leaving working Canadians to pick up the tab even as their living standards shrink.

In the future, population aging will move an increasing share of the population out of their prime working-age years and into their retirement years. An older population puts increased spending pressures in areas such as health care and elderly benefits. In parallel, slower labour force growth will restrain growth in the economy and in the general tax base from which the government collects its revenue.

If health-care transfers are allowed to increase at the current rate, the federal government would have to raise taxes or cut spending by nearly $30 billion in the next budget to keep Canada’s debt in check.

Another factor is that the national fertility rate has fallen from a peak of 3.9 children per woman at the tail of the “baby boom,” to 1.5 children per woman now. Coupled with the longer life expectancy by 2019, individuals over the age of 65 are expected to account for more than a quarter of the population; and by 2029, more than a third.

This puts incredible pressure on the Federal parties as they consider the next federal budget.

The Conservatives are promising to “stay the course,” and will keep cutting corporate taxes. This will lead Canada into even deeper deficits. The NDP would prefer that Canada’s seniors are helped out of poverty with improvements to the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS). This is unlikely to get support from the major political parties. Since Liberal and Conservative governments started cutting corporate taxes 10 years ago, individuals are carrying 61 percent of the cost of government programs, while corporations now pay only 15 percent.

Reblog this post [with Zemanta]

Technorati Tags: , , , ,

Seniors Living Together

Posted on by
No Gravatar


Living together is increasingly the choice of the growing 50s and 60s crowd.

The most recent census figures suggest that older couples have little incentive to get married. There are big increases in the number of people over 50 in common-law unions, with the most significant growth in the early 60s crowd. At the same time, the practice is in decline among the 20 and 30-somethings.

Experts say that given more liberal social attitudes, a larger number of divorced and the lack of financial incentive to marry, many older Canadians simply don’t feel the need to marry.

Between 2001 and 2006, the most recent year for census data, the number of Canadians in common-law relationships shot up 77 per cent among those aged 60 to 64 and between 44 and 64 per cent for all other age groups over 50.

A US publication suggests that Cohabiting Seniors Should Protect Their Rights.

If you and your partner plan to live together without getting married, you can take a number of steps to ensure that you are protected and your wishes are followed in the event of ill health or death.

  • Sign a cohabitation agreement.
  • Provide access to health care decision making.
  • Sign a durable power of attorney.
  • Update your will.
  • Think about the tax consequences of gifts.
  • Look into registering as domestic partners.

This is an important checklist for seniors living together to consider, whatever the country they are living in.

Related articles by Zemanta
Reblog this post [with Zemanta]

Technorati Tags: , , ,

US Health Reform Irks Some Seniors

Posted on by
No Gravatar

The US Government is working hard on  health reform to ensure Americans get the high-quality, affordable care they need and deserve. At this time, too many Americans can’t get the affordable care they need when they fall ill.

However President Obama’s health-care initiative may be a costly misstep in some eyes.

It was a long shot to think that a neophyte U.S. president, before celebrating the first anniversary of his inauguration, could radically transform the notoriously dysfunctional U.S. health-care system in a way Theodore Roosevelt first vowed to do in his losing bid for the presidency in 1912.

Obama will sign a reform bill later this year, which will require all Americans to purchase health-care coverage, including the close to 46 million Americans who have no coverage.  This will be subsidized by Uncle Sam to pay their premiums. Certain restrictions will be placed on private insurers, among them a prohibition against denying insurance to Americans with pre-existing medical conditions.

Powerful opposition to the health reform has become very vocal and many are up in arms.  The AARP (American Association of Retired Persons) has come out in favor of the reform but that has caused some members to resign in protest.

As many as 60,000 AARP members have left the group in protest over its stance on healthcare reform. The reforms did not sit well with the many AARP members who are upset over proposed cuts to Medicare that will total $313 billion over ten years.  They are in many cases defecting to the American Seniors Association, which bills itself as more conservative than AARP and solidly opposes President Obama’s healthcare reform proposals. 

Given this vociferous opposition, Obama has been promoting Health Reform on conservative radio.

The White House transformed its Diplomatic Reception Room into a radio studio Thursday, as President Obama took to the airwaves to promote his health care plan. He spoke directly with listeners of a nationally-syndicated radio program hosted by Michael Smerconish. Talk radio is a powerful vehicle for promoting political and social agendas in the United States. Conservatives have used the airwaves lately to aggressively attack Mr. Obama’s policies.

The fierce debate will certainly continue since in essence the Health Reform has some hidden victims.  These are some of them if anything like the existing Senate or House health plans become law:

  • Young people will have to buy policies that don’t reflect the low risk they have of getting sick.
  • Small Businesses will have to pay a tax up to 8% of their payroll, if they do not provide coverage
  • Health Savings Account (HSA) holders covered by plans with low-cost premiums and high deductibles that are designed for large, unexpected medical costs will have to buy policies
  • Medicare Advantage users will undoubtedly see changes

Although the objectives of the Health Reform are most laudable, President Obama will have to use all his diplomatic and persuasion skills if the Health Reform package is to be adopted without too many cuts and modifications.

Related articles by Zemanta
Reblog this post [with Zemanta]

Technorati Tags: , , , ,

Drug makers admit taking too much money

Posted on by
No Gravatar

Drug makers admit they’ve taken too much money

By agreeing to cut prices by $80 billion over the next 10 years to close the Medicare Part D prescription drug doughnut hole and help pay for health care reform, the major pharmaceutical companies have admitted that they’ve been raking in way too much money.

The drug manufacturers, organized as the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PHARMA), have agreed to a minimum 50 percent discount for most Medicare beneficiaries for brand-name medicines purchased in the doughnut hole gap in Part D coverage, roughly between $2,700 and $6,100 a year.

The doughnut hole came into existence when former President George W. Bush and his fellow Republicans designed Part D to benefit pharmaceutical and insurance companies more than the elderly Americans who need the coverage. At the same time, the federal government was barred from negotiating drug prices in bulk with the pharmaceutical companies.

The $80 billion commitment, part of $2 trillion in health care cost cuts sought by President Barack Obama over the next 10 years as part of the health care reform effort, shows how excessively profitable the pharmaceutical industry has become.  Even so this represents only 4% of the targeted reduction.  In Canada, where the government negotiates drug prices as part of a Single Payer arrangement, American made medicines are considerably cheaper.

The 30 percent overhead for private health insurance is  the other big area for cost cutting. Eliminating these middle men through a Single Payer arrangement or Obama’s public health insurance option is the best way to achieve universal coverage at the least cost. Every other industrialized country has already shown the way.

Related articles by Zemanta
Reblog this post [with Zemanta]

Technorati Tags: , , ,

Seniors’ Home Care Givers Fund In Quebec

Posted on by
No Gravatar

There is a new fund in Quebec to aid seniors’ home caregivers.  Family members who care for the elderly suffering from Alzheimer’s disease will be given additional resources under a $20-million annual fund announced yesterday.  The government has pledged $15 million a year for 10 years, while the André Chagnon family trust will contribute the balance.

It is another reminder of a question that more and more families must face, Who will care for Mom?

A newly released Statistics Canada study on eldercare says that some 2.7 million Canadians aged 45 and over were providing care for elderly family members or friends in 2007, which was up from 2 million in 2002.  Most of these caregivers were women, and more than half of them were working.  Thus, these people need help. 

Professional caregivers can provide support and care to seniors, many of whom are suffering from loneliness, depression and anxiety.  There are an increasing number of companies providing such care:

Home Instead Senior Care
This is an international organization whose professional caregivers go into the homes of seniors to help them with such needs as companionship, meal preparation, light housekeeping, medication reminders, errands, palliative care and shopping.  It has 21 locations across Canada, and employs about 2,500 caregivers from coast to coast
Senior Homecare by Angels
Senior Homecare by Angels is a network of non-medical senior homecare agencies providing Senior Homecare to help elderly and older adults continue to live in their homes throughout North America (rather than moving to nursing homes or assisted living facilities). Caring, experienced home health caregivers provide up to 24 hour care in the comfort of your own home, at affordable rates.  If has over 300 senior homecare agencies throughout the United States and Canada.
At Home Senior Care
At Home Senior Care was established to provide full nursing service and  senior care assistance for seniors who are experiencing difficulties managing their everyday life and require assistance in order to resume life in their personal residences. At Home Senior Care provides professional fully trained and insured caregivers that are capable of handling most all common elder care situations. Respect of individuality, family values and friendship are among some of the key factors we focus on with our services, which currently cover Toronto and Thunder Bay.
ElderSafe Support Services
ElderSafe Support Services, a not-for-profit charitable organization, provides  home health care and support to seniors in both British Columbia and Ontario. From offices in Victoria and Sidney, BC and Oakville ON we now deliver services to Greater Victoria, Mississauga, Oakville, Burlington, Port Hope, Cobourg and Northumberland County.  Our caregivers provide elder care including personal care, companionship, housekeeping, nursing services, post-surgery care, dementia and Alzheimer care, respite care, palliative care, 24 hour assistance, light meal preparation and transportation services.

Through such services, seniors can continue to have their independence longer in the security and comfort of their own homes.

Reblog this post [with Zemanta]

Technorati Tags: , , ,

Long-Term Care Concerns Fuel Seniors Home Care Growth

Posted on by
No Gravatar

LTC is A Key Part Of Retirement Planning

As the US Congress prepares to debate health care reform, long-term care for seniors is likely to be a crucial part of the debate. Long-term care has become hugely expensive in recent years—the average cost of a year in a private nursing home reached $76,285 in 2008, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.  At least 70% of people over age 65 will require long-term services at some point, and will need those services for an average of three years.

A preferred solution for many is to stay in their own homes.

The population is aging, but more people want to stay put. About 89 percent of those 55 and older would prefer to live out their lives in their homes, according to an AARP survey. And the older they get, the less inclined they are to leave.  The survey found that 92 percent of people 65-74 want to age in place. For those 75 and older, about 95 percent want to remain in their homes as long as possible.

Who will help care for them? The need for caregivers and home-care aides is growing. Even in this ferocious recession, health services is one of the few sectors where jobs are going unfilled.  So not surprisingly, Senior home care companies are booming.  While many companies are struggling in this recession, those that provide home-care to Canada’s seniors say they’ve been surprised and delighted to find business booming.

“Our client base has been growing by over 25 per cent across Canada,” says John DeHart, co-founder of Nurse Next Door Home Healthcare Services.  Another provider, Home Instead Senior Care,  says revenues increased by 24 per cent in 2008 and it projects similar growth for 2009 from 22 independently owned locations across Canada.

Families are trying to defer assisted-living facility costs by keeping aging parents in their own homes as long as possible. When seniors need more help with daily tasks like dressing, cooking and housework, government-provided care is limited and goes only to those in greatest need, leaving many families in search of a way to fill the gaps.

The alternative solution of moving to a retirement community is not risk-free in this major recession. Neil Prashad, president of Origin Retirement Communities, acknowledges that the company’s potential client base is “very, very spooked” by the economy, particularly because they live on fixed incomes. Home care may not afford the same easy life style but it involves much lower costs.

Related articles by Zemanta
Reblog this post [with Zemanta]

Technorati Tags: , , , , ,

The Aging Population In Canada

Posted on by
No Gravatar

One news headline today is hardly news. An aging population is changing Canada.

Where was the federal government 25 years ago when it was crystal clear that starting about now Canada would become a nation of seniors?  It was around 1984 that reports like the one recently released by Infrastructure Canada needed to be drawn up. Governments and business routinely think in terms of decades, and even centuries. Why this one seemed to get away from our leading elite is a bit of a mystery.  The report finds that no part of infrastructure will be left untouched by the needs of the increasing number of retiring and aging baby boomers.

The report mentioned is titled Population Aging and Public Infrastructure: a Literature Review of Impacts in Developed Countries.

The report is available in PDF format and deals with the following issues:

Canada faces significant demographic shifts in its population as the proportion of seniors increases at a higher rate than any other age cohort for the first time in its history. This demographic shift will have significant consequences on a wide range of issues that affect all Canadians. The effects of aging demographics will impact demand for health services, labour markets, public finances, and the provision of public infrastructure.

Another useful website to explore on these aging population issues is the About Canada website on Aging.  It highlights some of the questions we all should be asking.

A Canadian born in 1960, for example, can expect to live 20 years longer than a Canadian who was born in 1900. Meanwhile birth rates have declined, so that a growing proportion of the population is over 65. By the year 2031, approximately 20% of Canada’s population – one in five – will be seniors. This fact has important consequences for Canadian society. Who are these older Canadians? What are their roles in society? What are their needs? How will they be taken care of?

It is surprising that there is not enough discussion about these matters given the increasing number of aging baby boomers.  Although British Columbia is the province most affected, this aging population issue must be addressed in all provinces of Canada.

Related articles by Zemanta
Reblog this post [with Zemanta]

Technorati Tags: , , , ,

Your Aging Parents Budget

Posted on by
No Gravatar

Jason Alderman raises a possibly touchy subject with his item, Help your parents stay on track financially.

If you’re not familiar with your parents’ financial situation, you may be doing them – and yourself – a disservice.  Even with parents currently in good health, it’s wise to become familiar with their financial, medical and legal recordkeeping so you’ll be able to step in and help out if needed. You may have to walk a fine line between appearing nosey or controlling and not spotting warning signals that something may be amiss.

He suggests that when you visit your folks, you should keep an eye out for such things as:

  • Unpaid bills, late payment notices or utility shut-off warnings.
  • Hints they sometimes must choose between filling prescriptions and buying food, heating or other necessities.
  • Uncharacteristic secretiveness or defensiveness, possibly indicating they’re embarrassed about money problems or afraid their independence would be at risk if they confide in you.

Part of what you can offer is helping them get better organized and help them deal with all legal issues and budgeting.

Other websites with useful resources on this subject are:

  • Talk to Your Aging Parents About Money – If your parents are in their 60s or older, it’s time to have “the talk.” Here’s what you need to know before they need your help.
  • How to Budget for Elder Care – Whether your aging parents live independently, with you, or in extended care, here are some thoughts on budgeting for elder care.

The latter covers the following topics:

  1. Help your parents protect their assets.
  2. Sort out their savings and investments – and get power of attorney if necessary
  3. Talk over long-term plans with your parents (and your siblings, if you have them). If possible, get your parents to make a Living Will so that their wishes can be followed even if they are unable to communicate.
  4. Make sure your parents’ health-care costs will be covered.
  5. Work out a budget with your parents if they will be living with you.
  6. Help your parents work out their own budget if they live independently.
  7. Discuss joint ownership, where appropriate, re property deeds and bank accounts so as be able to act swiftly in a financial emergency.
  8. Talk over all the options avoid making unilateral decisions if your parents are of sound mind and able to share in decisions that affect their personal and financial lives.
  9. Remember to allow for some travel and entertainment “mad money” in their budget so that your parents will be able to have some fun.

As always, thinking ahead and getting to potential problems early can make everything much more manageable. It is the least you can do for your folks.

Reblog this post [with Zemanta]

Technorati Tags: , , ,

Search the Internet for related articles:
Loading