The Department of Health and Community Services has increased monthly rates provided for government-subsidized beds in personal care homes and community care homes, which will support operators to accept more residents who require a higher level of care.
The Honourable Tom Osborne, Minister of Health and Community Services, will be available to media today (Thursday, September 28) at Confederation Building, West Block, beginning at 2:00 p.m. to discuss the increases. Minister Osborne will be joined by Beverly Russell, President of Quality Living Alliance for Seniors and Shaun Lane, President of the Personal Care Home Owners Association of Newfoundland and Labrador.
The additional annual investment of approximately $15.4 million will provide operators with increased subsidy rates, allowing them to support residents with higher care needs, help with recruitment and retention of personal care home workers, and allow for patients currently in acute care beds to receive care in personal care homes.
Personal care homes provide care and accommodations to seniors and older adults who require assistance with daily living. Community care homes provide accommodations and supervision to individuals with persistent mental illness.
These subsidy rate increases support recommendations from Health Accord NL, which recommended providing appropriate and accessible care and protection for older persons in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Quotes
“Our government is focused on improving access to quality care for all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians, including our seniors and most vulnerable. Increasing the rates for operators of these homes will enable them to support more residents who have higher care needs, and allow for better recruitment of employees.”
Honourable Tom Osborne
Minister of Health and Community Services
“Our Personal Care Homes play a pivotal role in the continuum of care for seniors across this province. Today’s announcement will allow us to expand the delivery of care to welcome more complex needs seniors to our homes and will enable us to offer much deserved wage increases to our devoted Personal Care Attendants. We thank the Minister and his staff for their attention to our seniors and for supporting us as we continue to offer quality and exemplary care to our residents.”
Beverly Russell
President of Quality Living Alliance for Seniors
“Today’s announcement is a welcomed recognition of the important work that Personal Care Homes, especially their employees, are doing in caring for Seniors across Newfoundland and Labrador. We are pleased with Minister Osborne’s commitment to continue to work with our sector to build on the role we play in delivering quality affordable health care to seniors and to the sustainability of our industry.”
Shaun Lane
President of Personal Care Home Owners Association of Newfoundland and Labrador
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