Proposal for Government to Pay to Keep Seniors at Home (Canada)

NDP: Pay to keep seniors at home
Dexter wants to pay caregivers $500 per month to keep seniors out of hospital

By DAVID JACKSON Provincial Reporter
Tue. Feb 19 - 1:46 PM

The NDP is calling on the MacDonald government to spend almost $6 million on new and better services for senior citizens this year.


But Health Minister Chris d’Entremont said those services are already available or included in the government’s own continuing-care strategy.


Official Opposition Leader Darrell Dexter said Monday that the measures, such as expanding an allowance program to pay for caregivers, would help seniors stay in their homes longer and free up hospital beds now occupied by people waiting for nursing home beds.
Mr. Dexter pointed out that it’s much cheaper to care for a senior at home or in a nursing home bed than in hospital.


Mr. Dexter proposed a self-managed care allowance of $500 a month so seniors could pay a caregiver, whether a professional or family member. The senior would have to meet a means test to qualify, Mr. Dexter said.


Another proposal is a $750-a-month allowance for assisted living — accommodations where a senior can get housekeeping and light nursing services.
He also suggested an assistance program for frail seniors that would target people at risk of requiring nursing home admission.

As for more money in the 2008-09 fiscal year, Finance Minister Michael Baker said just last week that money is extremely tight, and Premier Rodney MacDonald warned less than two weeks ago that the province won’t be able to cater to wish lists.



(Abridged article) SOURCE: theChronicleHerald