Initiated in 2017, the CARP NS (Chapter 22) Health Advocacy Committee (HAC) is a volunteer working committee, responsible for influencing policy, position papers and providing information for response to media inquiries.
Our mandate is to advocate for improved health, well-being and quality of life for aging Nova Scotians. Although the NS HAC has a focus on Nova Scotians, our activities will also align with, and support CARP National advocacy strategies.
Our 2020 – 2022 priorities include:
1. The continuum of Continuing Care
2. Implementation of the Dementia Strategy
3. Publicly funded vaccines
4. Senior’s access to health system care
On Thursday June 17th 2021 at 1 pm ADT C.A.R.P. Nova Scotia (NS) Chapter and the MacEachen Institute for Public Policy and Governance partnered to host a discussion on priority actions identified by C.A.R.P. NS to transform Home Care in the province and across the country.
Moderated by Mary Jane Hampton, with speakers Sandra Bauld, Donalda MacIsaac, Bill VanGorder, and Grace Warner, 168 people representing all key stakeholders at a senior level, within and out of government attended.
The panel was recorded and is available on the MacEachen Institute for Public Policy and Governance YouTube Page:
In November 2021, a virtual Roundtable on Home Care in Nova Scotia was hosted by MacEachen Institute for Public Policy and Governance in partnership with the Nova Scotia Chapter of the Canadian Association for Retired Persons (C.A.R.P. NS) to discuss problems and solutions in provincial Home Care.
C.A.R.P. NS is a founding member of the ACTing Collectively research project which is a collaborative partnership between Nova Scotia Health (NSH), the Department of Seniors and Long-Term Care, Northwood Corporate and Dalhousie University researchers. A pilot project, the ACTing Collectively team will test and evaluate an innovative data collection method to gather information about the needs of community-living older adults (65+) to inform the design and development of policies and programs that support aging well in Nova Scotia communities.
The ACTing Collectively project is currently underway in three Cape Breton communities: Richmond County, Victoria County, and the Cape Breton Regional Municipality where the needs of 480 older adults will be assessed. Each participant will be provided an Individual Action Plan with links to available community resources to meet their needs. Community Profile Reports combining all data will be developed to document community needs and resource gaps specific to each community to inform local policymakers and planners. Community results will also inform NSH wellness planning and programming and Nova Scotia Department of Seniors and Long-Term Care Age-Friendly Communities initiative on what community resources are available and what resources need to be developed to help older adults age well in their communities.
Not only does Canada overspend and underperform compared to other OECD* countries, but there isn’t even parity between provinces and territories. Access to quality health care should not depend on your postal code. Our federal and provincial leaders must commit to delivering better health care for all Canadians no matter where they live.
Nova Scotia
Cancer Medication for seniors is much more expensive than in other provinces. Questionable Management of Province’s healthcare. Wait lists are so long, they can hardly be called “lists”. Continuing Care Strategy of 2006 has not been updated although an update was promised for 2017. High Dose Flu Vaccination not provided to persons 65+ whose doctor diagnoses them appropriately Frailty Scale. Shingles vaccination not provided Nova Scotian’s 65+
New Brunswick
Claims to improve access, but instead closes 6 rural community hospitals? Confused? So are we.
Prince Edward Island
Specialists come and go – recruitment, without retention is no plan at all. Lack of access to innovative medicines and new technologies is embarrassing!
Newfoundland & Labrador
Health system under huge stress and province pays more than any other – yet no concrete plan from the government.
Alberta
Elected on the commitment to improve wait times. So far, all about disrupting patient care and saving money. No commitment to improve system performance, only reduce spending over time!
Saskatchewan
Best of the lot, but mediocre at best. Drugs are too expensive, access to specialists are abysmal and forget about care close to home.
British Columbia
Horrible wait times, especially for hips and knees. Try to get a doctor? Good luck.
Manitoba
Saving is the mission. Plan to reduce use of Winnipeg facilities but only vague words about improving care and access in the country. Public drug plan is the most expensive in the country. Shame!
Quebec
More doctors than anywhere, but good luck seeing one! Private clinics now abound in the province and neither government stops it. Two-tiered medicine now systematized and worse, subsidized!
Ontario
Hallway medicine! Outside of urban centers, limited access to primary care, slow access to a specialist. Vague promises to expand the types of providers who can see patients, but no funding attached. When in doubt, reorganize the system — but no timeline or outcome declared. Chaos disguised as action!
Canada’s Failing Grade
2019 total health spending in Canada $264 BILLION
Among OECD* countries with comparable systems, Canada ranks 6th highest in spending.
Here are just a few examples of how Canada spends more than other countries that are performing better.
Health Care Spending by Country, 2018
Canada 10.7% of GDP ($264,000,000,000)
Netherlands 9.9% of GDP
New Zealand 9.3% of GDP
United Kingdom 9.8% of GDP
Australia 9.3% of GDP
Source: OECD The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development*
Where’s the Leadership?
The Federal government must stand up and provide leadership.
Here’s how:
TO LEARN MORE about CARP’s advocacy, VISIT carp.ca/fixhealthcarenow
C.A.R.P. Priority Actions for Home Care
C.A.R.P. – A New Vision of Aging is Canada’s largest member-based advocacy association for older Canadians. Our mission is to achieve equitable access to health care, financial security, and freedom from ageism for older Canadians. With more than 320,000 members across the country, C.A.R.P. is a non-partisan association committed to working with all political parties. C.A.R.P. members engage in polls and petitions, lobby their elected representatives, connect with local chapters, and share stories, opinions and insights on urgent issues.
CARP (Canadian Association for Retired Persons) is Canada’s largest advocacy association for older Canadians.
Sign up to receive your copy of CARPaction Online. You will receive twice monthly bulletins from national headquarters updating you about what is happening across the country in regard to our advocacy efforts.
©2024. CARP Nova Scotia. All Rights Reserved.