Canada Pledges $29 Million to Enhance Senior Care in Prince Edward Island

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In a bid to ensure dignified aging for seniors across the nation, the Government of Canada has committed nearly $200 billion over a decade, including $5.4 billion earmarked for tailored bilateral agreements with provinces and territories under the Aging with Dignity initiative.

Today, the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and Member of Parliament for Cardigan, representing the Honourable Mark Holland, Minister of Health, together with the Honourable Mark McLane, Minister of Health and Wellness for PEI, announced a significant bilateral agreement. Valued at over $29 million, this pact spans five years and aims to bolster the quality of life for seniors in Prince Edward Island (PEI) by enhancing access to home and community care as well as long-term care (LTC) services. This financial injection supplements the $94 million bilateral agreement unveiled with the province in December 2023, as part of the Government’s overarching plan, “Working Together to Improve Health Care for Canadians”.

The newly forged agreement pledges federal support for PEI’s comprehensive five-year strategy, designed to revamp healthcare provisions for seniors. Key highlights of the plan include:

1. Expanded Access to Home Care: The initiative will increase accessibility to home care services, with a particular focus on palliative care, ensuring that seniors receive crucial support in the comfort of their residences.
2. Introduction of Hospital-at-Home Services: A pioneering Hospital-at-Home service will be established, facilitating acute care delivery at seniors’ residences. This innovative approach is anticipated to benefit up to 1,450 seniors, providing essential interventions such as advanced wound care.
3. Enhanced Long-Term Care: Efforts will be made to address quality and safety gaps within the long-term care sector. This involves recruiting additional healthcare professionals, implementing digital assessment tools like InterRAI, expanding long-term care bed capacity, and deploying mobile X-ray units to ensure prompt access to care.

The success of these endeavors will be measured against predefined targets, with progress reports to be made available to the public on an annual basis.

Expressing optimism about the initiative, Minister Holland stated, “Today’s announcement is the result of a collaborative effort between the province and federal government to ensure equitable access to safe and high-quality health care for seniors in Prince Edward Island.”

Minister MacAulay reiterated the importance of the agreement, emphasizing its potential to make a tangible difference in the lives of Island seniors, while Minister McLane hailed it as a crucial step forward in enhancing services and supports for the elderly population.

This collaborative effort underscores the shared commitment of both federal and provincial governments to prioritize senior care and reflects a broader commitment to uphold the principles of dignity and respect in healthcare delivery across Canada.