Canada must prioritize an integrated care model that puts Canadians at its core

Aging at home should be the default option for those who want it – and 85% of older Canadians want to age in place and stay connected to their community. In Australia and the U.S., we’re seeing federal governments modernizing home care supports and incenting an uptake of technology to drive positive home health outcomes. 

Quebec’s recent budget had more than $300 million earmarked for initiatives to improve living conditions for aging Quebecers, with the goal of helping them avoid institutionalized care. There was also $750 million pledged over four years to increase public home-support services. 

In Australia, the recently wrapped Royal Commission into Aged Care included recommendations around technology and data to propel innovation in the sector and better integrate institutional and home care delivery. 

In the U.S., the American Jobs Plan proposed a $400 billion investment that will “help hundreds of thousands of Americans finally obtain the long-term services and support they need, while creating new jobs and offering caregiving workers a long-overdue raise.” 

Provinces are examining how they can support home care, and technology is a key element in delivering better health outcomes. It’s time for Canada to prioritize, and fund, an integrated care model that puts Canadians at its core.