Caregiver support program expanded

HALIFAX — Nova Scotia is expanding a homecare benefits program to include 600 more people providing care for loved ones, although the money being offered will remain at $400 a

month. The Caregiver Benefit Program currently has 1,979 caregivers enrolled.

Those eligible for the program provide unpaid care for 20 hours or more per week to an adult with very high care needs and the expansion will now include those caring for people assessed as having high to very high needs. The people requiring care could have a combination of moderate

to significant memory loss, a high level of physical impairment, serious behavioural problems and challenges in managing their personal needs.

A single person receiving care must have a net annual income of $22,125 or less, while those married or common law must have a total net household income of $37,209 or less.