HeartLife Foundation – Canada
Canadian Heart Failure Patient & Caregiver Charter
In Canada, Heart Failure (HF) is common and on the rise. As more people are surviving heart attacks and other acute heart diseases, more people are going on to develop HF. However, early diagnosis and treatment are important. By treating HF at its early stages, people can live longer, fuller, and more active lives. This was the primary driver for the HeartLife Foundation to create the Canadian Heart Failure Patient & Caregiver Charter, which aims to improve the overall quality of life for Canadians with this condition, across the continuum of care. It outlines a set of rights and responsibilities to support the creation and implementation of a national standard of care, including access to care, medical therapies, and support services that vary widely from one region to the next.
In 2013, the cost of hospital admissions for HF in Canada accounted for $482 million. By 2030, this figure is estimated to reach $722 million.
On the other hand, the healthcare available to HF patients varies widely across Canada. This Canadian Heart Failure Patient & Caregiver Charter serves as a tool for stakeholders in HF – government, healthcare providers, private insurance companies, patients & caregivers – to cross-check and identify local gaps to resolve. It helps us to work collaboratively toward a common goal of improving the lives of Canadians living with HF, which in turn benefits patients, caregivers, and society as a whole.
