(SK) Government Investing in Supports for Seniors

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(SK) Government Investing in Supports for Seniors

[ http://www.saskatchewan.ca/government/n ... ss-seniors ]

Released on March 19, 2014

The 2014-15 Budget makes a number of investments to improve the quality of life for Saskatchewan seniors.

“Saskatchewan’s seniors deserve to receive high quality, responsive, appropriate care,” Health Minister Dustin Duncan said. “Our investments in long-term care services and facilities and innovations in home care programs will help meet those needs.”

The 2014-15 Ministry of Health Budget provides investments in long-term care, home care, acute care, prescription drugs and other services for seniors. The government will also target funding to continue enhancements to long-term care facilities and home care programs for seniors.

Highlights include:

$27.3 million to continue construction of five previously-announced long-term care facilities in Biggar, Kelvington, Kipling, Maple Creek and Prince Albert;
$4.5 million – a $2.5 million increase – for the HomeFirst/Quick Response pilot program to provide innovative home care supports to better serve seniors;
$3.7 million for the Urgent Issues Action Fund to continue to improve services in long-term care facilities;
$800,000 for a new Seniors’ House Call Pilot Program to develop an innovative mobile outreach team to provide intensive home care supports to seniors with complex health issues; and
Funding to plan replacement of long-term care facilities in Regina Qu’Appelle Health Region and plan for more long-term care beds in La Ronge.
“Our government made a commitment to make life more affordable for Saskatchewan seniors, and we are keeping that commitment,” Social Services Minister June Draude said.

Highlights of Social Services’ 2014-15 Budget for seniors include:

A $10 per month increase in benefits under the Seniors Income Plan (SIP) in July 2014 to a maximum of $260 for single seniors and $225 per month for each member of a married couple. Next year, the single benefit will increase to $270 per month, triple what it was in 2007. Nearly 15,000 Saskatchewan seniors receive SIP benefits each month. Seniors receiving SIP benefits are also entitled to additional health benefits such as one free eye examination every 12 months, chiropractic services (to a maximum of 12 services per year), a reduced Prescription Drug Plan semi-annual deductible, a home care subsidy and an exemption from many of the charges under the Saskatchewan Aids to Independent Living Program.

An increase in the monthly income threshold in the Personal Care Home Benefit (PCHB) from $1,875 to $1,950 in July 2014. This monthly supplement subsidizes the difference between a senior’s total monthly income and the cost of living in a personal care home. The PCHB helps about 800 seniors each month to access the care they need. -30-

For more information, contact:

Trish Alcorn, Social Services
Regina
Phone: 306-787-0916
Email: trish.alcorn@gov.sk.ca
Cell: 306-536-1479