The provincial government is raising rates for home support agencies that help people who require extra assistance to stay at home.

The province is providing an additional $7.9 million to allow for rate increases to help provide high quality care and allow people who need support to live independently in their own homes.

President of the Home Care Association of NL, Elizabeth Jenkins says the funding goes directly towards the implementation of revised operational standards and new service level agreements.

She says there are a number of “financial pressure points” with the new standards—such as accreditation and insurance requirements—that the funds can go towards. She says ultimately it will help increase the quality of care.