Ottawa, ON – November 3, 2022 – Next week, as health ministers from across the country meet in Vancouver, the Canadian Association for Long Term Care and its members are calling for action and a plan to deliver a much-needed boost to Canadian long-term care homes and the residents they care for and serve.
This is a critical time for the sector. We are approaching the fourth calendar year in the fight against COVID-19. The pandemic has shone a light on our sector and the challenges we face — including ongoing staff shortages that challenge our ability to deliver quality care, and chronic underfunding that stretches resources to a breaking point — issues that predate 2020. These challenges impact the ability of homes to deliver high quality care, yet actionable solutions have been limited.
We understand the need to respect regional uniqueness. However, there are currently 13 different conversations and approaches being taken to address challenges in long-term care, without specific coordination between the provinces, territories and federal government that could leverage efforts and improve outcomes. The focus has shifted to competition between provinces for scarce health professionals, rather than a coordinated approach to develop the pool of staff available to all.
The sector is in dire need of a long-term and sustainable funding agreement between all levels of government. Decades of underfunding combined with record high inflation has left homes struggling to make ends meet. Investments in homes are desperately needed to recruit and retain employees, upgrade outdated infrastructure and ensure new homes can be built and staffed to meet the rising demands associated with an aging population. Addressing operational budget shortfalls allows for continuing improvements in infection prevention and control processes, food quality and nutrition, recreational programming and enhancements that support quality of life for residents.
These needs can no longer wait.
Since 2020, the federal, provincial and territorial governments have taken action to respond to pandemic-related concerns in our sector. These have offered a lifeline to struggling long-term care homes who have been overwhelmed dealing with COVID-19. Ultimately, however, much of what we have seen has been tied to the pandemic, rather than long-term solutions.
Developing a sustainable plan requires agreement between the federal government and the provinces and territories. We need a pan-Canadian approach that is shared by all levels of government, is evidenced-informed and developed in consultation with long-term care homes, residents, and their families.
Now is the time for robust, systemic action that recognizes the long-standing neglect faced by the long-term care sector. This must be a priority for the health ministers as they meet.
Long-term care can no longer be an afterthought in broader health care discussions. Our sector must receive specific consideration to ensure sustainability for the future. The families of older Canadians need to be confident that long-term care homes will have the staff and resources to care for their loved ones.
Next week in Vancouver is a critical opportunity for decision makers at all levels to present a renewed vision for long-term care that reaches across Canada. CALTC and its members look forward to working with health ministers across the country to deliver quality long-term care for all.
