Long-term care.

Abstract

 In 2010, about 13 % (OECD average 15%) of Canada’s population is aged over 65 and about 3.5 % (OECD average 4%) over 80.  In 2006, Canada’s expenditure on long term nursing care was equivalent to about 1.5 % of its gross domestic product (GDP). More than 80 % of these expenditures were targeted to institutional care (OECD Health Data, 2010).  In 2008-09, about 0.7 % (250,000 individuals) of the Canadian population resided in an institution, of which about 75 % were 65 years and older. The 238,000 individuals are equivalent to about 4 % of the population over 65.  In 2008-09, there were approximately 4 850 residential care facilities across Canada with 270 000 approved beds. Of these beds, about 217 000 were approved for homes for the aged (Statistics Canada, 2008-2009).  In 2006, more than 2.5 % (875,000 individuals) of the population reported receiving home health care and home support; about 60 % of this group received home health care only (CIHI, 2007).  In 2006, about 160,000 nurses and personal carers worked in the long-term care (LTC) sector on a full-time basis and close to 70,000 on a part-time basis (OECD Health Data, 2010 based on Census 2006).