Seniors, Wellness and Social Development
October 16, 2014

Caring for Seniors in Our Homes and Communities

Ministers Responsible for Seniors Discuss Issues in Charlottetown, P.E.I.

Social isolation of seniors, caregiver readiness and supports, and mental wellness were among the issues discussed this week as federal, provincial and territorial (FPT) ministers responsible for seniors met in Charlottetown, P.E.I., October 15-16. The Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister of Seniors, Wellness and Social Development, participated on behalf of the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador.

“The newly-established Department of Seniors, Wellness and Social Development was created, in part, to focus more directly on seniors' issues and to reflect a changing reality in Newfoundland and Labrador – an aging demographic – and the opportunities and challenges that presents. The FPT meetings provided an opportunity for ministers to discuss issues of common concern, share successful initiatives developed in our respective jurisdictions to support seniors and their families, and to chart a path forward that helps to ensure seniors remain healthy, active, engaged citizens and are cared for in a manner which respects their dignity and life-long contributions to society.”
- The Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister of Seniors, Wellness and Social Development

The Provincial Government has invested in numerous programs, guided by the Provincial Healthy Aging Policy Framework, that focus on supporting older adults. These include community age-friendly initiatives, fee reductions, affordable housing, and prescription medications. The goal of the Provincial Healthy Aging Policy Framework is for individuals, families, communities and society as a whole to foster healthy aging in order to achieve optimal health and well-being.

Budget 2014: Shared Prosperity, Fair Society, Balanced Outlook, includes $61 million in new funding for long-term care and community support services throughout the province. For more information, see the backgrounder below.

For more information on the Charlottetown discussions, see: www.scics.gc.ca

QUICK FACTS

• Social isolation of seniors – including those living in rural and remote communities - was among the issues discussed this week as federal, provincial and territorial (FPT) ministers responsible for seniors met in Charlottetown, P.E.I., October 15-16
• The Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister of Seniors, Wellness and Social Development, participated on behalf of the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador.
• There are numerous provincial initiatives that focus on the needs of older adults including the Home Support Program; the prescription drug 65+ Plan; fee reductions for fishing, hunting, camping and wood cutting; Age-Friendly Newfoundland and Labrador Grants program; Low Income Seniors Benefit; and Affordable Housing Program.
• For information on Provincial Government programs and services including legal, financial and health information pertaining to older adults, see: www.health.gov.nl.ca/health/seniors.

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BACKGROUNDER
Budget 2014 Provides $61 Million for Long-Term Care and Community Supports

Budget 2014: Shared Prosperity, Fair Society, Balanced Outlook, includes $61 million in new funding for long-term care and community support services throughout the province, including:

• $26.2 million for the new long-term care facility in Carbonear;
• $8.2 million to implement the Paid Family Care Giving Home Support Option;
• $6.8 million for growth in the Home Support Program;
• $6.6 million for the continued expansion of the long-term care facility in Happy Valley-Goose Bay;
• $3.3 million to finish construction of the new St. John’s long-term care facility;
• $3.2 million to launch four Community Rapid Response Teams providing enhanced health services and home support to seniors in their homes, reducing the need for admissions to a hospital;
• $2.5 million for the continued construction of a protective care residence in Clarenville;
• $2 million to increase the Personal Care Home and Community Care Home monthly subsidy to $1,950;
• $1.4 million to open an 18-bed Alternate Level of Care Unit in Western Memorial Regional Hospital in Corner Brook;
• $700,000 to address long-term care needs on the Burin Peninsula, including construction of a protective care residence;
• $600,000 to begin planning for long-term care needs in the central Newfoundland region;
• $350,000 for the completion of the North Haven Manor in Lewisporte;
• $300,000 to address capacity issues in the Community Support Services sector;
• 273,000 to increase the monthly rate at Alternate Family Care Homes to $1,355; and
• $200,000 to increase transportation mileage for Personal Care Homes from 35 cents per kilometre to 55 cents.

The Provincial Government also invests nearly $64 million annually in seniors-related programs. Budget 2014 allocates continued funding for several age-friendly initiatives, including:

• $3.7 million for a continued 35 per cent reduction on driver’s licence, vehicle registration and other licences and fees, such as hunting and fishing;
• $500,000 to continue the Age-Friendly Transportation Grant Program which increases access for older adults, as well as individuals with mobility challenges, to affordable and reliable transportation;
• $285,500 for implementation of the Adult Protection Act;
• $270,000 for the Age-Friendly Newfoundland and Labrador grants program; and
• $100,000 for the continuation of the Healthy Aging Research Program which supports researchers in completing work in the area of aging and seniors.

2014 10 16                                        3:30 p.m.