Every Senior Needs a Primary Doctor
- van: Care2.com
- ontvanger: Prime Minister Stephen Harper
Dementia is expected to be the leading disease increasing health care costs in the future. Despite this, seniors with dementia are stuck in an inefficient system that costs them money and cheats them of holistic care.
A new report in Ottawa offered some recommendations to make sure the province's seniors are getting the health services they need. In order to provide effective care for seniors with dementia, all patients need a primary doctor.
During the 8 years average that a person lives with dementia, she is cared for by upwards of 25 different people. The situation is ripe for miscommunications and missed opportunities to improve care.
Dementia is a complex disease that requires a lot of care and attention from physicians and family members. But we can make it easier by making sure every patient has one person coordinating their care.
Ontario is working to ensure every senior gets a primary care physician. Tell Prime Minister Harper to expand Ontario's plan nationwide.
Dear Prime Minister Harper,
I recently heard of a comprehensive study from Ontario that recommended that every senior have a primary care physician. The researchers found that -- especially in cases of expensive, complex diseases like dementia -- it would help care and streamline costs. Ontario is implementing this suggestion now. I urge you to take it nationwide.
Dementia is expected to be a leading driver of health care costs in coming decades and a huge burden on many Canadian families. We need to do all we can to make sure simple solutions like coordinating care through a primary care physician are in place.
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