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The Huron Expositor, 1988-06-08, Page 9HE HURON EXPOSITOR, JUNE 8, 1988 — 9A Canad features growing senior population Canadian society is changing and the im- pact of that change will have major As the number of senior citizens con - ramifications at all social, political and tineus to grow, they will exert an even economic levels. Canadians are living more significant influence on political par - longer and the birth rate continues to ties, at all government levels. Issues like decline creating a population with a grow- mandatory retirment, and assistance for ing percentage of older people. those on fixed incomes, will become In 1981, the elderly (persons aged 65 government priorities, as will health care years or older) made up 10 per cent of the and dying impact tth dignity, country's population. In just 40 years, pro- isToe of an aging society, however, jections indicate this group will double to Currently nrt limited to elderly el considerations. almost 20 per cent, and the average age of the of $20 represent an income the Canadian society will also continue to market centn excess n m billion,Cmore than climb.10 per of all incomes in Canada. As this figure climbs, manufacturers and ma - In political terms, this means a major jor retailers can be expected to orient shift in thinking, especially in the areas of more and more of their marketing direc- social policy and program. The elderly tion towards capturing a share of this currently represent almost 14 per cent of market. Nowhere will there be a more eligible voters and are among the most ac- dramatic change than in the area of health tive in exercising that franchise. They are care services for the elderly. also beginning to exert an influential lob- The need for more helath care will in- bying force. In 1986, senior citizens group crease at an even more rapid rate than the were successful in forcing the federal elderly themselves. Already underservic- government to reverse its policy of de- ed, it is expected health care services indexing the Canada pension. specifically oriented to the elderly will in- crease by 50 per cent in less than 15 years. They will use over 50 per cent of general hospital beds, 75 per cent of long term hospital beds, 35 per cent of psychiatric beds adn 40 per cent of the country's total health care budget. Meeting the need will take a concerted effort at all levels of government and a major change in the wagy society thinks of the elderly. Too long ignored, the elderly are a growing segment of Canada's population, with special needs and unique perspectives. For a long time the emphasis in Canada has been on the young. Politically, socially and economically our society has been dominated by a concept of youth. But, within 40 years, that focus, and the very nature of our population, will radically change. For the first time in our history the majority of Canadians will be over 35 years old and our society will not only reflect that change but will be forced to deal with the unique challenges it creates. Report calls for improved health care A number of recommendations have been made to improve the health care system for the elderly and to provide, both now and in the future, humane and economical delivery of that health care. The recommendations came about as a result of a comprehensive analysis of the present health care system by a commit- tee of the Canadian Medical Association (CMA). That analysis identified many of the strengths and weaknesses of the health care system. The analysis reported it is imperative.a coordinated responsive system of health care for the elderly be developed im- mediately by the involved organizations and individuals. It noted society would not be able to afford the present high rate of institutionalization - a practice it said the elderly themselves have rejected. "The CMA believes that governments at the various levels, universities, the health professions and the public are all important in designing and implementing an appropriate system of jtealth care. Education, research, the management of environmental issues and the health care delivery system are areas for action," reported the committee. In response to these recognized needs the committee proposed several long and short range strategies for planning and implementing health care services for the elderly. General problem areas that underline many of the deficiencies in the provision of health care to the elderly were iden- tified in the report as: inappropriate at- titudes towards the elderly, inadequate education in the health and social care fields, an overemphasis on solely medical care, fragmentation of care, inadequate community services, inappropriate finan- cing of care and confusion in the ter- minology used in different Canadian jurisdictions for the types and levels of long-term institutional and home care. The report is directed to both the public and professionals and it is also hoped it will be instrumental for decisionmakers in influencing general public policy related to the elderly. Although the medical, health care and social support professions must take special note of the committee's finding, it is neceaaary that all the many groups whose actions affect the lives of the elderly, including the elderly themselves, take effective steps, if the elderly are to function as independently as possible. Many critical areas, several of which are nonmedical in their orientation, are examined in depth by the committee. The importance of personal autonomy and freedom of choice for the elderly are stressed. The issues involved in the areas of income, housing, transportation, retirement and nutrition are all con- sidered important in contemplating the well-being of the elderly. Stress is put on environmental considerations. The elder- ly need an environment in which they can function independently, easily and com- fortably. Other areas where change is in - Opportunity theme for seniors month "Opportunity is Ageless" is the 1988 theme for Ontario's Senior Citizens' Month, which is celebrated in June. The theme, was chosen by Mavis Wilson, Minister for Senior Citizens Af- fairs, because it "tells everyone in On- tario that age is no barrier to the enjoy- ment of life." Ivy St. Lawrence, chairman of the On- tario Advisory Council on Senior Citizens, said the theme illustrates the truism that seniors, with their wisdom and ex- perience, can make a great contribution to society if given the chance. it is essential that each elderly person have a family physician to whom he/she is well known; the elderly must par- ticipate in planning services that affect them; geriatric patients should be assess- ed in their own environment; high-quality health care in the home has to be sup- ported by high-quality support services; the elderly should have the right to die in their own homes; and volunteers must be encouraged and supported but not stifled by bureaucracy. PUBLIC EDUCATION Both education of the public and ap- propriate medical education for physi- cians about the health problems of the elderly,,were major concerns addressed by the %'bmmittee. It reported a broad ap- proach to public education is needed, and there needs to be still greater emphasis on health promotion for all age groups through increased public education. t I Physical fitness and good nutritional habits throughout life are thought to decrease the risks of illness and disabili- ty later in life. The committee reported the foundations of healthy lifestyles are dicated include the long-term care best laid when the individual is very system, geriatric psychiatry and the care young, of the rural elderly and the terminally ill aged. The unique aspects of drug therapy in the elderly are discussed and general recommendations are made. In addition, the complex ethical dilem- nas that face physicans who care for the increasing number of elderly, and par- ticularly the frail elderly, are addressed by the committee. There will be even more difficult ethical questions in the future for families, physicians and socie- ty and it will require the best efforts of the ethicists and the medical and legal professions to try to solve them, DEVELOPED PRINCIPLES In developing strategies to improve the health care system for the elderly, the committee established a set of principles that it considers essential for change to take place. The principles are: care of the elderly should be seen as mainstream health care; no elderly person should be denied health care because of age; elder- ly persons must have the right to choose to live at risk; elderly persons should have the right to a reasonable income and standard of living; health care of the elderly should not be viewed as episodic - THE ENVIRONMENT The committee notes that attention to basic issues and environmental factors could be the most positive actions that society could take on behalf of its elderly. Numerous elements related to the physical environment were pointed out - design elements for safety and conve- nience, alert systems, basic housing alternatives, transportation and easy ac- cess to amenities. The social environment is equally im- portant and is strongly dependent on at- titude. Isolation and loneliness contribute to mental and physical decline; social contact and stimulation - including the ability to return favors, to serve society even in small ways - help maintain self esteem. Also the freedom to choose and the maintenance of autonomy have been identified as a basic right within the social environment. The personal environment of wellbeing of the elderly person is also strongly in- fluenced by factors such as nutrition, ac- tivity and medications - all of which are discussed in some depth in the report. THE SEAFORTH MANOR 2 With That Small Town Caring Difference" Corning - Retirement living For Seniors Single Rooms to Deluxe Suites Additional Nursing Home Beds Also Available Administrator: Mrs. Ruth Hildebrand Director of Care: Mrs. Joanne Ryan R.N. 100 James St. Seaforth 527-0030 CONGRATULATIONS The Seaforth Recreation. Department wishes to Congratulate all Seniors for their participation in the Seaforth Senior Games. A special Congratulations to all our winners! 5 Pin Bowling - Art and Mary Finlayson, rBeryl Reid Mery Dietz, Elmer Townsend Softball Throw - Dave Cornish and Helen MacKenzie .snooker - Gordon Murray Bridge - Fred and Ruth Waltham Euchre - Boyd and Gerty Driscoll Darts - Charlie Perkins and Barb Scott Shuffleboard - Art and Mary Finlayson Cribbage - Ernie Harburn and Evertt Telker Walking - Mary Chapple and Marj Maloney Table Tennis - Charlie and Peggy Perkins Crokinole - Art and Mary Finlayson Horseshoes - John Aubin and Lavern Hoegy Carpet Bowling - John Patterson and Helen MacKenzie Golf - Rod Doig, Bill Harris and Dave Cornish Lawn Bowling - Bill Brown, Thelma Coombs and Dorothy McCluskie Swimming - Vivienne Newnham, Mary Chapple Penny Dimaline and Sid Scroggs Good Luck in Stratford at the District Games June 20 and 21. any item in the store Offer Valid lune 8-11 17 Main St . SEAFORTH Anne lames Proprietor 527-1830