Public consultations on Provincial Healthy Aging Framework

In keeping with government�s commitment to identify and address aging and seniors issues in our province, Health and Community Services Minister John Ottenheimer today announced that government will undertake public consultations in 17 locations across the province to seek the public�s input on a proposed Provincial Healthy Aging Framework.

"Statistics Canada estimates that by 2021 Newfoundland and Labrador will have the highest proportion of seniors in the country. Government recognizes the growth of our aging population and we are committed to planning now to ensure that the needs of our seniors are anticipated and met," said Minister Ottenheimer. "These consultations will provide individuals, communities and stakeholders across the province with the opportunity to learn about the healthy aging framework and offer input into its development."

The Department of Health and Community Services will hold a total of 17 consultations across the province. All individuals and organizations with an interest in aging and seniors issues are invited to participate in the consultations. Ross Wiseman, MHA for Trinity North and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health and Community Services, will chair the consultations.

Consultations will begin on March 15, 2006 and conclude on June 7, 2006. The confirmed times and locations for the first three consultations are as follows:

All remaining consultations will be advertised in local newspapers in the coming weeks and will be held as follows:

In conjunction with the Ministerial Council of Aging and Seniors and the Provincial Advisory Council on Aging and Seniors, the department has developed a discussion paper entitled Healthy Aging for All in the 21^st Century and a provincial seniors profile to guide the consultation process. Copies of the document can be obtained at www.gov.nl.ca/health/publications, or by calling 1-888-494-2266.

Interested parties are invited to participate in the consultation process either through the public sessions or written submissions by e-mail to healthyaging@gov.nl.ca.

To participate in a session, members of the public must register in advance by calling 1-888-494-2266 or by e-mail at healthyaging@gov.nl.ca.

"I encourage seniors and those interested in aging and seniors� issues to attend these sessions and to provide valuable input into the development of a healthy aging framework," said Minister Ottenheimer. "In order for these consultations to be effective, we must receive the appropriate input from the public to ensure that we identify the current and future needs of seniors and to ensure that our future policy direction provides the appropriate mechanisms to enhance the lives of seniors in all regions of our province."

The consultations on the healthy aging framework further Government�s Blueprint commitment to establish healthy aging as a priority and to involve seniors directly in planning and implementing programs and services that are important to them.

Media contact: Tansy Mundon, Communications, (709) 729-1377, 685-1741

2006 02 27                               11:30 a.m.