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YouTube Link: “If you
forget, is it Alzheimer?”
Virtual February 22, 2021 Program
Event
March 2021
Medication Appropriateness
The context
In a recent supplementary mandate letter to the Hon. Patty Hajdu, Minister of Health, Prime Minister Trudeau urged the Minister to " ... accelerate steps to achieve a national, universal pharmacare program."
Why we need to act now
Currently, there are active discussions in the media around the topic of pharmacare and what it should look like. While the conversation has mostly focused on the cost and access to medications, medication appropriateness needs to be added to this discussion. As a member of ACER-CART, we encourage you to have your voice heard and share this important message now.
Did you know?
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2 out of 3 Canadians (66%) over the age of 65 take at least 5 different prescription medications.
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1 in 2 Canadians (49%) over the age of 65 take a prescription medication that is considered potentially inappropriate because the risk of harm outweighs the potential benefit and safer drug or non-drug alternatives exist.
There is an urgent need for the government of Canada to establish a medication appropriateness strategy for planned and coordinated efforts to fight over-prescribing and the use of inappropriate medications that place older adults at risk of harmful side effects such as falls, fractures, memory problems, and hospitalizations.
What can you do?
As a member of ACER-CART , you can contact your political representatives and policymakers about this important issue. The Canadian Deprescribing Network prepared a letter that you can adapt and send right now. We encourage you to correctly address and send to your political representatives or policymakers. For more information, visit deprescribingnetwork.ca/policy
October 2020
October 2020
Are you eligible to vote on November 1st?
This article from the Gazette's Katherine Wilton will help you figure things out:
https://bit.ly/3kDocG6
Photo from QFHSA - Quebec Federation of Home and School Associations
September 2020
August 2020
McGill Brainy Boomers Lecture Series | Série de conférences Boomers Brillants
Supporting Someone Living
With Dementia
Meghan Williams, Director of Support Services
What can you do as a family member or friend to help someone you
love with dementia?
Learn about ways to make the person feel successful and
empowered.
A Mindful Approach to
Caregiver Wellness
Angela Potes, Mindfulness Facilitator
Join Angela Potes in an experiential talk on mindfulness and
self-compassion, providing tips to reduce caregiver stress and
foster well-being.
July 2020
Update
from the Minister of Seniors, Deb Schulte
July 30, 2020
ACER-CART President's Message re Meeting with Minister Schulte
February 17, 2020
November 2019
QPARSE Statement on Bill 40 sent to Parliamentary Commission Hearings
Advisory Board on English Education - Bill 40 Brief
September 2019
Renate Sutherland receives honour from the Canadian Federation of University Women (CFUW)
February 2019
Petition e-2039 Petition for Pension Security
November 2018
Apply to be a McGill Field Supervisor
Click here for more information
September 21, 2018
The McGill University Research Centre for Studies in Aging
(MCSA) OPEN HOUSE for Seniors 50+
Click here for more information
October 5, 2018
The McGill University Research Centre for Studies in Aging
(MCSA) presents:
"Aging in the 21st Century"
Click here for more information
March 2018
Bill Morneau’s unwise decision to backtrack on pharmacare
February 2018
QPAT-APEQ and Starling are running a 5
day stress management challenge on February 19th,
which is also available for all QPARSE members and their
families. In addition to building mental resiliency for retired
educators Starling provides a safe community for the posting of
comments by other QPAT members. We have about 700 comments
posted and I thought that this might be a good resource to help
manage stress, reduce isolation etc.
Click here for
more information
October 2017
Teaching Opportunities in Nunavut for CART
The National Association of Federal Retirees, coalition partners with the Canadian Association of Retired Teachers (ACER-CART), invites us to participate in their “Honour Your Promise” campaign, which deals with the issue of PENSIONS.
The websites www.honouryourpromise.ca and www.respectezvotrepromesse.ca are ready to use, including the “Tell Your MP” tool which sends a message to one’s MP and copies Finance Minister Bill Morneau.
We’ve also built a new section into the Federal Retirees website, available at www.federalretirees.ca/BillC27 (et en français, www.retraitesfederaux.ca/c-27). We have some additional tools available to our members and the public on this page, including our “Tell Your MP” tool, resources to help people in meeting their MP, and social media links.
Sayward Montague
Director, Advocacy • Directrice, Défense des intérêts
National Association of Federal Retirees
Association nationale des retraités fédéraux
March 2017
CMA reacts to 2017 Federal Budget
January 2017
July 2016
University of Waterloo International Research
and Partnership Grants Survey
Here is a chance to participate in a study funded by the University of Waterloo International Research and Partnership Grant to examine the effects of health on mobility among Canadians. The aim is to determine how health as well as physical, cognitive and social factors influence injury rates including driving and fall related accidents. Findings from this project will lead to program and service development that address the needs of Canadians as they age. Follow up studies will be done in 5 year intervals to see how health, mobility, driving practices, the environment, activity levels and cognitive function have changed. Comparing data every 5 years will result in greater understanding of health and mobility trends among an aging population. For additional insight findings from this study will be compared to residents of France, who have completed the same survey.
The survey is done through Survey Monkey. There are 90 questions asking about your health, mobility, social demographic factors, driving, falls and a few questions on memory, sleepiness and distraction. The survey should take between 45 minutes to an hour to complete. You can stop, save, and return to the survey at any time if you cannot complete it in one go. The survey is available in both English and French.
The survey is completely confidential. Your name and any other identifying information will be removed from the database prior to analysis. You will be referred to only by an assigned study ID (or number). All findings from the study will be reported anonymously and secured on password-protected computers at the University of Waterloo. You are allowed to skip questions throughout the survey should you choose to do so or withdraw altogether by closing your web browser without submitting your responses.
There are 5 small prizes to be won for a restaurant certificate. If you enter for a chance to win a prize the information collected to draw for the prizes will not be linked to the study data in any way, any identifying information will be stored separately, then destroyed after the prizes have been provided. The amount received is taxable. It is your responsibility to report this amount for income tax purposes.
To complete the survey in English, click here.
Pour l’enquête en Français, cliquez ici.
June 2016
April 2016
Molson Lecture Series on Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders - May 6, 2016
The Brainy Boomers - Aging with a Healthy Lifestyle (MCSA)
The McGill University Research Center for Studies in Aging (MCSA)
CMA - Budget shows improved seniors care to be a work in progress
Canadian Health Coalition - Towards a new Health Accord
March 2016
Canadian Medical Association's Press Release on Federal Budget 2016
CMA encouraged by federal commitment to work with provinces and territories on new Health Accord
February 2016
 |
The Canadian Medical Association (CMA) recently launched a new letter writing campaign on www.Demandaplan.ca. During the last election, campaign supporters sent more than 40,000 letters to candidates across the country. Thank you partners for your support! The more we unite and voice concern, the likelier political leaders are to take action.
DemandAPlan supporters, alongside the Alliance for a National Seniors Strategy, have an opportunity to once again work with all parties to bring about the change we need in health and health care. We invite you again to encourage your memberships to write a letter to the Prime Minister and their Member of Parliament in advance of the Federal Budget possibly in March.
Click here for more information
ACER-CART’s partnership with McMaster’s Optimal Aging Portal
November 2015
National Medicare Week 2015
National Medicare Week (November 29 - December 5, 2015) is an important moment to celebrate our public health care system that is the pride of our nation. It is also a crucial time to focus on our vision for public health care moving forward.
With the recent commitment of our Prime Minister to work with the provinces to negotiate a new health accord there is great work ahead of us. Our movement will push to ensure this agreement will adequately protect our health care system from ongoing threats of privatization and international trade deals, while also including measures to provide a National Drug Plan and a National Strategy for Seniors Care that are essential to caring for everyone in Canada.
3 Actions You Can Take this Week!
Write, call and email your Member of Parliament. Tell her or him about your strong desire for Canada to maintain and expand its universal public health system. It's important that your MP knows you're paying attention and won't stand for further weakening of our public health system. Feel free to download and adapt this sample letter, and find the name and contact information of your MP here.
Become involved in the online campaign, follow on Twitter: @healthcoalition and on Facebook: Canadian Health Coalition
Support our work by making a donation on Giving Tuesday.
Get Ready for Giving Tuesday!
For the first time, the Canadian Health Coalition will be participating in Giving Tuesday, a global day of giving back, which celebrates generosity and kindness. After the sales of Black Friday and Cyber Monday, Giving Tuesday is a time to celebrate and support nonprofit organizations from coast to coast to coast. This year, Giving Tuesday falls during National Medicare Week, on December 1st.
All of the donations received will go towards our advocacy work dedicated to the preservation and improvement of Canada's public health care.
We hope you're able to join the millions who are making Giving Tuesday the huge success that it is by supporting the work that we do! Click here to donate.
About the Canadian Health Coalition
The Canadian Health Coalition is a public advocacy organization dedicated to the preservation and improvement of Medicare. Our membership is comprised of national organizations representing nurses, health care workers, seniors, churches, anti-poverty groups, women, students and trade unions, as well as affiliated coalitions in 9 provinces and 2 territories.
October 2015
ACER-CART - Message from the President
IRPP Task Force on Aging Report: Designing a National Seniors Strategy for Canada
September 2015
Teaching-in, Quebec: We Need to Talk
September 2015
ACER-CART: Election 2015 - Federal Party Leaders Reply to our Questions
August 2015
ACER-CART - SENIORS' ISSUES FOR THE 2015 FEDERAL ELECTION
CMA’S ELECTION TOOLKIT 2015: Canada needs a National Seniors Strategy
November 2014
Canadian Medical Association Press Release
Hospitals grinding to halt because of stranded seniors, CMA head says
November 2014
Code
Gridlock: Why Canada needs a national seniors strategy
Address to the Canadian Club of Ottawa By Dr.
Christopher Simpson, President, Canadian Medical Association - November 18, 2014
August 2014
Pension and Retirement Report 2014
August 2014
Choosing Wisely Canada is a campaign to help physicians and patients
engage in conversations about unnecessary tests, treatments and procedures.
Click
here for more information
August 2014
QPARSE is pleased to announce the services of a notary who is willing to answer general questions dealing with real estate, wills, mandates, estate planning and settlement, homologation of wills and mandates, and curatorship. Should Ms Dubé act for you, there will be a charge.
Mélanie Dubé, Notary/Notaire
5765, Av.de Monkland
Montreal, (Qc) H4E 1E8
Tel: 514-481-7500
Fax: 514-487-0667
email:
melanie.dube@notarius.net
blog:
www.mdnotaire.net
August 2014
The McGill Community for Lifelong Learning
The McGill Community for Lifelong Learning is primarily for people of retirement who want to continue learning for the joy of it and share their knowledge, ideas and experience with others.
The Saint-Lambert CLC coordinates a Lifelong Learning program on the South Shore of Montreal. These groups offer learning opportunities for retirees and seniors in and around the community and if you are interested in participating, please refer to the flyer.
July 2014
from ACER-CART: President's Message: September 8, 2014 will be the first day of a court case that threatens the Canadian public health care system
from WTA: Wait Times in Canada
April 2014
FOR INFORMATION
Link to the CTF brief on Bill C-23, An Act
to amend the Canada Elections Act and other Acts and to make
consequential amendments to certain Acts which was sent this
morning to the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs
which is currently reviewing the proposed legislation, please
find attached the Canadian Teachers’ Federation brief in
relation to Bill C-23:
http://www.ctf-fce.ca/en/Pages/Issues/Advocacy.aspx
from ACER-CART: Canadian Medical Association Press Release
February 11, 2014
Press Release Budget Support for Dementia Research Good First Step
from ACER-CART: Leading the Way for Retirement Security
News Release
Leading the Way for Retirement Security
October 31, 2013
Premier Wynne Calls for Enhancement of Canada Pension Plan
The Ontario government is calling for an enhancement of the Canada Pension Plan, leading the way on a national issue to ensure that people across the province are better prepared for retirement.
Premier Kathleen Wynne met today with Brampton couple Tommaso Altrui and Serena Bird to discuss how further enhancements to the retirement income system would give them greater financial security in retirement.
The government is committed to a strong and secure retirement income system that helps people plan for their retirement, whether they rely on income primarily provided through the Canada Pension Plan (CPP), their own savings, or through a pension plan at work.
Investing in people, including ensuring they have a safe and secure retirement, is one of the three pillars of the Ontario government's economic plan. Through the other two pillars, the government is also investing in infrastructure and supporting a dynamic and innovative business climate.
QUICK FACTS
- Many people in Ontario today are having difficulty putting aside sufficient savings for retirement and are worried about their future financial security
- Experts suggest that households should aim to replace 50 per cent to 70 per cent of their pre-retirement income in retirement. Research shows middle-income households are at increased risk of being unable to meet this target.
- In a recent study, CIBC World Markets found that, in the absence of policy change, nearly six million workers in Canada, particularly younger workers, will experience a significant decline in living standards when they retire.
- Provincial and territorial Finance Ministers are meeting in Toronto tomorrow where CPP enhancement will be on the agenda.
- Changes to the CPP require agreement of the federal government and at least seven provinces having at least two thirds of the population.
LEARN MORE
QUOTES
"We are pushing for an enhancement to the CPP so the hardworking people of
Ontario have the support they need when they retire. I am confident that the
federal government can work with Canada’s Premiers toward a solution, but we are
also prepared to move forward with a made-in-Ontario plan if necessary."
— Kathleen Wynne, Premier of Ontario
"Governments must ensure a reliable and responsible retirement income system that responds to the new realities of our times. That's why our government is leading the discussion to find a Canada-wide agreement on a Canada Pension Plan enhancement and strengthen income security for middle-class Ontarians. We're also working to improve workplace pension plans and those accumulating savings independently. Countless experts agree that to enhance and protect retirement income for Ontarians, we must act now."
— Charles Sousa, Minister of Finance
from ACER-CART: A new and interesting source for a study on Pharmacare
How to Improve Pharmacare in Canada: C.D. Howe Institute
TORONTO, June 13, 2013 /CNW/ - Canada's provincial pharmacare systems have flaws not found in other developed countries that could be addressed by integrating prescription drug coverage into the broader healthcare system, according to a report released today by the C.D. Howe Institute. In "Rethinking Pharmacare in Canada," authors Steven Morgan, Jamie Daw and Michael Law find that integrating pharmaceuticals into the healthcare system by covering medically necessary prescription drugs at little cost to patients would result in improved performance on key pharmacare policy goals.
All developed countries with broad public healthcare systems provide universal coverage for prescription drugs - except Canada, note the authors. Instead, Canadian provinces allocate limited public subsidies for prescriptions drugs, leaving the majority of costs to be financed out-of-pocket and through private insurance. They review three of the main approaches to provincial pharmacare policy - exemplified by British Columbia, Ontario, and Quebec - and compare them with policies in other countries.
"All provincial systems in Canada involve considerable patient charges and multiple payers that are not responsible for financing patients' medical and hospital care," said Steven Morgan. "The costs borne by patients are known to reduce the use of medicines that might otherwise improve patient health and reduce costs elsewhere in the healthcare system." In addition, "the involvement of multiple payers diminishes purchasing power, adds administrative costs, and creates funding silos that limit the potential for healthcare managers and providers to consider the full benefits and opportunity costs of prescription drugs as an input into the broader healthcare system," said Morgan.
Countries that integrate pharmaceuticals into the healthcare system achieve better access to medicines, and greater financial protection for the ill, at significantly lower total cost than any Canadian province achieves, the authors find. They recommend that provinces expand public pharmacare programs to all segments of the population with a specific focus on promoting access to medicines of proven value-for-money in our healthcare system. "Though the immediate effect of this would be an increase in government spending, this would, over time, be more than offset by savings to patients, employers and individuals who purchase stand-alone private drug coverage," concludes Morgan.
Please click here for the full report
