Improve access to health care tailored to the needs of older adults

It’s time to build a health care system that meets the realities of an aging population—by training and recruiting more specialists in seniors’ care and expanding national pharmacare, we can ensure every older adult gets the right care, at the right time, with the medications they need.

Quick facts

• Canada’a population is aging. By 2030, nearly one in four Canadians will be 65 years or more, significantly increasing demand for specialized senior care.
• Canada faces a shortage of geriatricians. We have about 375; that is one for every 20,000 seniors.
• Older adults account for nearly 50% of health care spending.

Many seniors face risks that go unseen and unreported. Up to 10% of seniors experience some form of physical, whether physical, psychological, emotional or financial abuse annually.

Our asks

Expand mandatory geriatric health care training to a professional health care workforce to serve seniors. 

• As our population ages, our health care system must be better prepared to meet the growing and often complex needs of older people. Yet ongoing shortages of trained professionals continue to limit access to timely, appropriate care. 
• To close this gap, core training in aging and senior care should be built into all health education programs. 
• In addition to recruiting more specialists, the government should expand and mandate training for nurses, personal support workers, and allied health professionals—and consider creating a dedicated credential in senior care to strengthen skills and recognize expertise across the health workforce.

Protect and expand the national pharmacare program, ensuring broader coverage for all Canadians. 

• We commend the federal government for establishing this much-needed program and for reaching initial agreements with participating provinces/territories of Manitoba, British Columbia, Prince Edward Island, and the Yukon. 
• To fully realize its potential, the program must be safeguarded against future rollbacks and expanded to include a wider range of essential medications. Seniors who are among the highest users of prescription drugs are particularly vulnerable to gaps in coverage. 
• Expanding pharmacare is critical to reducing financial hardship, improving health outcomes, and promoting health equity.