Health care pressure critical

Photo: KGH

Kelowna's aging population is putting a strain on health care that will become critical if the status quo remains.

That was one of the main takeaways from a discussion on health care inside council chambers Monday afternoon.

The presentation by Interior Health CEO Chris Mazurkewich and board chair Erwin Malzar, was part of the city's Imagine Kelowna speaker series.

"Basically, four per cent of the population requires about 41 per cent of the services IH provides," said Mazurkewich.

"That is the frail. Typically frail elderly, but not exclusively. The reason that is important is when you look at the demographics and the implications behind that."

These include the frail at home, frail in care and end of life.

The figures are for the entire Interior Health region. However, the Central Okanagan does have one of oldest populations in the country.

"The plus-75 age group is 10 per cent roughly in the Central Okanagan according to our figures. In 2040, our projections are 14 per cent.

"If we keep that group at four per cent, the absolute number grows significantly."

With the economic outlook not rosy over the next 15 years, Mazurkewich added economic pressures on the health care system from a taxpayer perspective will be enormous.

The current $2-billion budget for Interior Health now is expected to nearly triple by 2040.

"Those two things will continue to put immense pressure on health care, unless we change," said Mazurkewich.

"Which is what we are trying to do by moving into primary care and more services in the community, and less in our facilities."

Mazurkewich said Kelowna's approach of building more bike paths is a great way to encourage a healthier lifestyle, thus reducing the strain on the health care system.

Looking forward, he talked about advancements in technology, which will allow for virtual physician visits as opposed to in-person visits.

"I am thinking in 2040, that is going to happen. There are certain things you have to be there in person for, but most of the physician visits I've been involved with, you don't have to be there in person," he said.

"We have more physicians per capita than we have ever had, but we still have a shortage. How do we change that?"

Mazurkewich also talked about advancements in technology which will allow an iPad to take an X-ray.

"Think of your Fitbit, your phone and all the things it does today. Imagine what it will do in the future."

He also spoke of the ethical shift in medicine.

We are getting better at extending life, he said. We are not necessarily getting better at quality of life.

Mazurkewich also believes Interior Health needs to borrow initiatives used in other countries to alter the field here. He said countries like Sweden and Denmark have made advancements in the way patients are seen and those could be implemented here.