Sask. doctors want better seniors care raised as election issue

Saskatchewan physicians want political leaderson the campaign trail to talk more about better ways to care for
seniors.

The Saskatchewan Medical Association says the current model issometimes very narrowly focused on long-term care.

Association president Dr. Mark Brown saiddiscussions aroundlong-term care beds are important.But more needs to be done about seniors health-careneeds.

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Brown saidthe health-care system needs more geriatricians doctors who specialize in treating seniors with multiple medicalproblems, including dementia.

He also saidan improved system would, where possible, move careout of hospitals and into the community in places such as patients'homes.

"Our current system assumes episodic care and sees it as aseries of separate events frequent hospitalization and
institutionalization when really a system of continuous,inter-professional care would be a better way to meet theneeds anddesires of the elderly," Brown said in a news release Monday.

Serious challenges ahead

Brown said the health-care system will experience seriouschallenges once baby boomers start to move through.

"The SMA is urging policy makers to start to make these kinds ofchanges now, so that we'll be in a better position to deal with thelarger demographic pressures coming in five to 10 years."

The association, which represents 2,300 doctors, is raisingissues leading up to the April 4 vote, including tobacco control andaccess to mental health care.

Earlier this month, the association called for legislation arounde-cigarettes and a ban on all flavoured tobacco to discouragesmoking among youth.

Brown pointed out that there are no Saskatchewan regulationsaround buying e-cigarettes, even though the products containnicotine.

There would nothing to stop a five-year-old child from walkinginto a store and purchasing e-cigarettes, he said.