The government is providing funding for 12 innovative projects to support seniors in their homes and communities.
Seniors and Long-Term Care Minister Barbara Adams announced on June 9, an investment of more than $8.6 million in new models of home care delivery, day programs, supportive equipment and more.
The Canadian Red Cross is one of the organizations that has received funding, for its Health Equipment Loan Program, which has newly purchased equipment plus items that have been donated and refurbished. The Red Cross will use $725,000 to purchase hundreds more of the highest-demand items like wheelchairs, walkers, beds and bathroom safety equipment.
The Province continues to move people in the Disability Support Program into communities with the establishment of a new small option home in Dartmouth.
The renovated property, bright and inviting, will soon be home to three people living with disabilities. The fully accessible space features four bedrooms, two bathrooms and an outdoor living area and is situated in a well-established, residential neighbourhood. The home is funded and licensed by the Department of Community Services and operated by service provider New Vision.
The Disability Support Program has been working to phase out large institutional settings over time and shift to community-based housing and support options.
There are currently 14 small option homes under construction in the province. Homes in Glace Bay, Stellarton and Lower Sackville are expected to open this summer. In the fall, four homes in Yarmouth, two in Shelburne, a second home in Stellarton, and homes in Sydney, New Glasgow, Digby and New Minas are expected to open.
To further support community living, the Province has committed $8.8 million this year to remove the cap on the Independent Living Support program. This program provides services to people who live in their own apartment or home and who require a minimal level of support. Over two years, this investment will allow the Disability Support Program to offer this additional support to everyone on the wait-list – more than 400 people.
Also, $3.5 million has been committed to move young adults with severe physical disabilities out of long-term care and into community placements as part of an ongoing effort to ensure people can live where they want to, independently. This initiative will support 200 people over the next four years to live in community.
Additional Resources:
Action for Health, a strategic plan to address recent and long-standing problems in acute and primary care, long-term care, addictions and mental health: https://novascotia.ca/actionforhealth/
Community Links: https://nscommunitylinks.ca/
Funded projects: https://novascotia.ca/news/release/
Disability Support Program: https://novascotia.ca/coms/disabilities/index.html
Budget 2022-23: https://novascotia.ca/budget/