After reading through multiple articles on various topics related to the health and wellness of the elderly population, here are some policy suggestions we would like to share. We hope that they may help patients and their families receive better care as well as lessen the fear and dislike of the health-care system.

The first suggestion is implementing more mandatory cultural education and education on the older population for all health-care professionals. The goal is to fight against the culturally insensitive care and ageist and non-inclusive beliefs that continue to appear in our health-care system today.

Second, is that health-care related research be completed on a more diverse group of people. We ask that research be carried out on wider age, race and gender ranges.

The third suggestion is for funding for a wider range of living possibilities and education of staff so they are better able to inform patients of resources available to them. Canadians would rather spend their years in comfortable and familiar living situations than personal care homes, but there are limited affordable options.

Our fourth policy is providing on-site anonymous feedback boxes that can be used to voice feedback and concerns. These boxes would be locked with limited access. The boxes would not leave the facility or unit to maintain privacy.

The final policy is to increase inspections in care facilities. These would be random and completed by health-care-trained staff so the most accurate information could be collected and issues remedied to high standards. The range? From observing mealtimes to ensure care is being provided correctly, to the cleanliness of the facility, including proper cleaning of machinery and furniture. Inspections would be completed to catch lax care before it can have larger effects.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

This letter was written by second-year nursing students at the University of Manitoba.