Policy and Economic Considerations for Frailty Screening in the Canadian Healthcare System.

Canada faces significant policy and economic challenges related to healthcare for frail older adults. Annual per capita healthcare costs for people over age 65 are five times those for people under 65. Flat economic growth and an aging workforce decrease tax revenue, which funds 70% of health spending. Governments are shifting policy to enhance person-centered care and shifting spending from hospitals to primary and community care. Recognizing that frailty and evidence-based frailty screening can contribute directly to reform initiatives, what are the policy and economic considerations, both nationally and internationally, around frailty screening that will benefit patients, families and/or the wider health system? Based on key informant interviews, we present recommendations for approaching policy and economic challenges in frailty through the following healthcare policy instruments: financing, funding, legislation, regulation, technology, interdisciplinary care, person-centered service and health promotion.