Older Women Receive Inadequate Care
December 29, 2011 No Comments
Senior women in Ontario are receiving inadequate care, according to a five-year study.
The study, called Health System Use by Frail Ontario Seniors, was carried out by St. Michael’s Hospital, Women’s College Hospital and the Institute for Clinical and Evaluative Studies.
It revealed a three-headed problem:
Women live longer than men, creating larger numbers of senior women needing care in old age. Numbers of women over 76 in Ontario, where the study was carried out, are twice that of men over 76.
Women are often caregivers and traditionally don’t pay as much attention to their own needs as to the needs of their dependants. A woman looking after children, grandchildren and an aging spouse might delay accessing health or personal care.
The care system does not have a person-centred model. Currently, healthcare focuses on illnesses rather than people.
A combination of a person-centered healthcare model could potentially address the issues faced by aging women, such as specific physical, psychological and cultural issues. The longer treatments and hospital or care home stays required by women living longer requires in-depth consideration, which might include increased options for care at home.
Care for senior women is a complex issue, but one which we have a moral obligation to address.
Contact the author here: miriam@morningquickie.com
