An injection of provincial funding could help seniors stay in their homes safely, while they wait for space in long term care.
MPP Greg Rickford announced a $650,500 fund, which will go to the expansion of the Paramedicine for long-term care support program in the Rainy River District.
The funds will go towards helping seniors who are on waitlists for the long-term care facilities and need assistance, but have to remain living in their home. Rickford said before the pandemic, long-term care homes were at 99 per cent occupancy.
“This ultimately helps people be safe and at home, where many instances, I’m sure, as you guys can attest to, they actually prefer to be,” said Rickford. “These programs have shown that 911 calls and hospital visits can be avoided for consultation and engagement with the service sector municipality.”
The program includes access to 24-7 health services at home or remotely, non-emergency home visits and in-home testing procedures, regular monitoring, education on health, and connections to home care and community supports.
Dan McCormick, chief administrative officer at the RRDSSAB, said the area has over 370 seniors in private homes who need support.
While addressing the paramedics, Fort Frances Mayor June Caul said, “You’re helping these people who are able to stay in their homes and I have older friends who are still in their homes. Bless you for the job that you do. You walk into their home and you’re their friend, first of all. They look forward to having you in their home and they know that they can trust you and they know that you will look after them.”
In addition to the program funding, the provincial government is also providing $670,000 to support the Kenora-Rainy River municipalities to help with ongoing COVID-19 related operating costs. The Town of Fort Frances is set to receive $116,152 of the money.
The funding will go towards things such as personal protective equipment, cleaning supplies, by-law enforcement and online meeting tools for remote council meetings.
“This funding for the Kenora-Rainy River municipalities will go a long way in guaranteeing that no community is beginning 2021 with an operating deficit,” said Rickford.
