The provincial health minister was in Maple Ridge on Friday afternoon, April 25, to announce more financial support to help seniors live independently across the province.
Josie Osborne, Minister of Health, got a loud round of applause from the group of seniors and their supporters who assembled at the Maple Ridge/Pitt Meadows Community Services office, as she announced the province is investing $304 million over five years in United Way BC to deliver and expand community-based seniors' services.
"We are deeply committed to helping seniors remain in their own homes and in the communities they are a part of," said Osborne. "Through the programs and services delivered by United Way BC, older adults are able to stay healthier, be more active and better connected to their communities. By expanding these services, we're helping more seniors throughout our province live more independent lives."
She noted Maple Ridge/Pitt Meadows Community Services would get an additional $74,000 to expand its Better at Home programs.
United Way CEO Michael McKnight said the five-year commitment is huge for the "stability and certainty" it offers his organization. And their fund will increase significantly 香蕉视频直播� from approximately $40 million to $60 million per year for these programs.
He said the Better at Home programs will provide services ranging from light housekeeping, to rides to appointments, and in some parts of the province chopping firewood.
McKnight explained much of the work is provide by volunteers with community non-profit organizations supported by United Way.
They offer non-medical home supports, and programming that help older adults stay physically active, socially connected and engaged, and to be as resilient and independent as possible.
"Seniors living in B.C. want to live at home independently as long and as safely as possible," said Susie Chant, parliamentary secretary for seniors' services and long-term care. "As our older population continues to grow, expanding services for seniors and their caregivers so they can receive the supports they need is vital. United Way BC's suite of programs and services helps people lead fuller, more active and socially connected lives."
The new funding will build upon successful programs, connecting seniors to more support and expanding program staffing and co-ordination. Key highlights of the improvements are:
香蕉视频直播� Better at Home - Since 2012, Better at Home, managed by United Way BC, has supported seniors with non-medical home support services, such as grocery shopping, minor home repairs, snow shovelling and transportation for medical appointments. New services will focus on social connection and include peer support, expanded group activities, more flexible transportation options, and reduced wait lists for light housekeeping, which is the program's most popular service.
香蕉视频直播� Family and Friend Caregiver Support and the Therapeutic Activation Program for Seniors (TAPS). More seniors and caregivers will have access to these support programs to help improve their well-being.
香蕉视频直播� The expansion of community connector positions from 19 in 2023-24 to approximately 90 by 2025-26 will provide more seniors with one-on-one support and connect them with other services in their community.
香蕉视频直播� The modernized service-delivery model will create more opportunities for agencies to work together to deliver local programming. Increased collaboration between agencies will support better referral of seniors between programs, more sharing of resources and helps plan response to local service gaps.
香蕉视频直播� 30 new full-time equivalent positions have been added for Better at Home and Family and Friend Caregiver Support programs, helping connect more seniors and caregivers with the supports. For many communities, this means a shift from part-time to full-time co-ordination, creating better access for seniors, and helping recruit and retain workers.
