Advocacy groups calling for seniors health to be election issue

Two advocacy groups want Alberta’s political parties to make the health of seniors an election issue.

Friends of Medicare says 18 percent of Alberta’s population is at least 60 years old, yet care for aging residents is taking a backseat to the economy and pipelines when it comes to political discussions.

The group and Public Interest Alberta say privatization and corporatization have reduced access as well as quality of care.

They want the provincial government to mandate staff-to-patient ratios and address a lack of at-home caregivers.