Seniors need dedicated time and resources from their healthcare providers for rehabilitation and recovery, as well as the required accessibility devices to regain and maintain well-being.

Recommendation #34: Coverage

Change the criteria to determine the coverage of rehabilitation, physiatry, occupational therapy, and other allied rehab care supports a medical needs basis, rather than the current time-limited provisions. Coverage should be determined by the treating healthcare provider and not expire after a fixed number of weeks.

Recommendation #35: Billing

Work with the healthcare colleges and associations to find a new funding model for healthcare visits, such as annual salaries or block-billing for geriatric health visits. Geriatric assessments cannot be done in five-minute intervals.

Provide necessary top-up or gap coverage for necessary assistive devices to ensure mobility, accessibility, and inclusion. Wheelchairs, motorized mobility devices, walkers, grab bars, canes, toilet risers, commodes, lifts, bathing supports, and hospital beds are critically important for well-being and aging in place.

Recommendation #36: Acute Care

Integrate more physiotherapy, physiatry, occupational, and rehabilitation health supports into primary healthcare settings, including hospitals, urgent and/or acute care centers, rehabilitation facilities, complex and/or extended care units.