The provincial government has outlined the details of its Seniors’ Health and Well-Being Plan.
The components of the plan fall under three main areas; Improving seniors’ well-being and supporting healthy aging, establishing centres of excellence in aging, and strengthening integration and services involving care.
The bulk of support and programs fall under the first area.
It includes an aging well at home grant of $400 to eligible low-income seniors, a caregiver benefit of $400 for eligible caregivers who provide significant unpaid assistance to lower income seniors with complex care needs, increased funding under the home repair and home modification programs, enhanced immune response influenza vaccines, and a $500 annual supplement for food and heating for seniors in coastal Labrador communities.
Kimberley Leonard, CEO of Seniors NL, believes the plan will help in addressing the concerns she’s heard from seniors, including on the cost of living.
She says it is a “great first step.” and it gives them something to build on. She notes the plan will be revisited.
More information about the supports in the plan can be found online.