Evidence Brief: organizing a care system for older adults in Ontario

ABSTRACT

The health of the aging population has been identified as a high priority for the province of Ontario and has become one of the province's most pressing health and social policy issues.(1) In addition, healthcare expenditures in Ontario now exceed 46% of the provincial government's annual budget.(2) In comparison to other countries, Canada has the fifth highest total per capita spending on health in the world and is among the six countries with the highest ratio of total health expenditure to GDP.(3) As the baby-boom generation approaches and enters into retirement, the challenges that Ontario faces in supporting the health and social care needs of an aging population will intensify significantly. Those over the age of 65 consumed approximately 44% of provincial and territorial government health spending in 2008, but comprised only 13.7% of the population.(4) These challenges are further intensified by the current resource constraints facing the province after a significant recession, with the resulting government deficit and debt levels meaning that Ontario has to do more with less.