Still others argue that the incidence of sickness is the same, but that women are more attuned to their bodies and thus more aware of their symptoms. Despite reporting more symptoms, women still tend to view their health quite positively. Both men and women gain at least part of their sense of good health from being able to continue to cope with life in the community, and from being able to maintain a secure and comfortable lifestyle. But Canada's health care system is mainly designed to provide medical treatment for acute short-term illness or emergencies. Physicians look after patient visits, prescribe medication, order medial tests, and control admission to hospitals.
Hospitals provide short-stay medical care.
This system is not geared towards support services for those who need help to live on their own. Therefore, a substantial effort was made in the 1970s to develop home health care and community support programs. Services were gradually expanded for those who fell into the category between very sick and very healthy. Today many provinces offer a variety of services for seniors. Less costly than the traditional medical system, community support services are a means of helping family and friends to provide care and allow them to continue this assistance for a much longer period of time.