Province Making Life Better for Seniors, Announces Grant Recipients
Premier’s Office
May 3, 2013
NOTE: A social media version of this release, with hi-res, downloadable photos, audio and video clips, will be available later today at http://novascotia.ca/news/smr/2013-05-03-Seniors-Grants/.
Nova Scotia’s seniors are safer and able to stay in their homes and communities longer, thanks to the province’s efforts to make life better and more affordable for seniors and their families.
“Everything we have today is a result of the hard work, dedication and perseverance of today’s seniors,” said Premier Darrell Dexter. “We owe it to them to make sure they have the quality of life and peace of mind they deserve. From home repairs and upgrades, to putting more money back in seniors’ hands, to better home-care services, we are giving seniors what they want — more options to live comfortably at home.”
The province announced today, May 3, that 28 municipalities and non-profit organizations would receive grants from the Positive Aging Fund and the Age Friendly Communities Program.
“Seniors look forward to participating with various groups and organizations that help keep them independent and involved in their communities,” said Campbell-Cole Harbour Senior Citizens Club president Agnes Elms. “We depend on this important funding to make social activities, health tips and safety information available to seniors.”
The total amount of the grants is more than $170,000.
Premier Dexter announced the support at the Dartmouth Seniors Service Centre, which provides several activities and programs, including Meals on Wheels.
“For recipients of Meals on Wheels who are homebound, the volunteer making the delivery might be the only social contact those seniors have,” said Dartmouth Senior Service Centre executive director Tanya Swinamer. “For the volunteer, giving back to the community is a rewarding experience.”
The province has introduced and improved a wide range of programs and services for seniors that increase home support services, reduce wait times, help make ends meet and live well at home. These include:
— legislative amendments to prevent financial abuse of seniors
— $24 million for better home-care services
— improving the caregiver benefit
— fair drug prices
— funding for personal alert service
— medication dispenser technology
— home oxygen and health equipment loan programs
— more long-term care beds
— taking the HST off home energy
— more seniors paying less or no income tax
— a better property tax rebate
— funding for necessary home repairs and accessibility changes
For more information, including a list of grant recipients, visit www.gov.ns.ca/seniors/positive_aging_fund.asp and http://novascotia.ca/seniors/age_friendly_program.asp.
The province continues to make life better and more affordable for seniors and their families by supporting seniors’ efforts to live independently, while working collaboratively with communities to create places where Nova Scotians can live and age well.
FOR BROADCAST USE:
Nova Scotia’s seniors are safer and able to stay in their homes and communities longer, thanks to the province’s efforts
to make life better and more affordable for seniors and their families.
Premier Darrell Dexter says everything we have today is a result of the hard work, dedication and perseverance of
today’s seniors. He says the province owes it to them to make sure they have the quality of life and peace of mind they
deserve.
The province announced today (May 3rd) that 28 municipalities and non-profit organizations would receive grants
from the Positive Aging Fund and the Age Friendly Communities Program, worth a total of over 170-thousand dollars.
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Media Contacts: Lucas Wide
Premier’s Office
902-424-3471
Cell: 902-471-4234
E-mail: widela@gov.ns.ca
Toby Koffman
Department of Seniors
902-483-5847
E-mail: koffmatg@gov.ns.ca
NT5
