New program offers support
Island seniors at home get more help
Island seniors are getting financial aid from the province to boost quality of life in their own homes.
The goal of a new Seniors Independence Program is to provide for practical services such as light housekeeping, meal preparation, general maintenance, snow removal, and transportation - making it easier for seniors to remain in their own homes and communities.
The program will assist seniors 65 and over living alone - or with a spouse - with a net household income of $22,150 or less for a single person; or $31,300 or less for a couple. It will help seniors with their unmet daily needs.
“This is an absolutely wonderful program to assist seniors to stay in their own homes,” said Gladys Dirani of Charlestown. “I have many friends who will benefit from this support.” The first phase of the program will begin Jan. 1, 2018 and work will continue to develop the final program which will be fully implemented in April 2018. Seniors approved to receive funding can either directly choose service providers, with the exception of immediate family members, or select from a list of agency-approved businesses. The program will be available Jan. 1, 2018 by contacting Family and Human Services at 1-877-569-0546.
“As a government we want to do all we can to ensure our seniors have the assistance they need to remain independent, comfortable and safe in their own homes for as long as they can,” Human Services Minister Tina Mundy said.
“This program will be a great supplement to supports provided by family members and other existing supports such as home care, seniors home renovation programs, and the Out of Province Travel Support Program.”