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Premier's Speeches
Continuing Care Announcement
Marigold Cultural Centre, Truro
Thursday 1 February 2007
Ladies and gentlemen, we are taking more steps forward, improving continuing care in our province.
My government worked directly with Nova Scotians to address our challenges and to adapt the system for the future. People from this community and more than 1,000 other Nova Scotians from Sydney to the South Shore and from Cumberland to the Capital Health Region told us what they need: They need more services, in more communities; They need immediate steps and prudent strategies for tomorrow; And they want to live well in a place they can call home.
As a result, my government has promised 1,300 new long-term care beds. Within this next year, and continuing each year until 2010, the first 800 of these beds will open. Today, we are announcing where those new facilities will be located throughout the province – this includes communities such as Truro.
My government is also addressing something else: Working with us, Nova Scotians identified that some existing facilities must be upgraded or replaced. All our seniors deserve to live knowing their homes will have the up-to-date mechanical systems and space requirements they need.
Today, we are announcing nine existing long-term care facilities will be replaced. This will mean better facilities and services for those seniors already in care.
These steps and other measures we are announcing are part of extensive, careful planning. Distribution of new beds will be based on community needs, current pressures on our hospitals, and population and health trends.
In 2005, seniors made up about 14 per cent of Nova Scotia's population. Within the next two decades, seniors will make up 25 per cent of our population.
Indeed, everyone knows the system is under pressure right now. My government is taking action today for an immediate infusion of more than 40 long-term care beds in Nova Scotia – Minister d'Entremont will have more to say about this.
My government is delivering on its commitments. Today is one more example.
We have already made progress using more than $16 million in the current budget for 50 restorative beds and more dialysis options closer to peoples' homes. We've already expanded home and community-support services such as personal care, housekeeping, and home-nursing support.
My government has already invested $1 million for home repairs this winter to help low-income seniors remain in their own homes longer.
Ladies and gentlemen, we are focused on decisions that are resulting in the right services and the right beds. We are making progress to meet current need for continuing care services and new beds in our communities. We are adapting to meet the future demands an aging population will, one day, require.
Thank you.