The province is investing about $57 million to support those working in continuing care, add more staff and open more beds more quickly to seniors waiting for long-term care.
Investments are aimed at hiring additional continuing care assistants and improving working conditions, improving care for seniors, and making empty beds in other facilities available to seniors.
“Seniors deserve dignity, and we will make sure that the supports are in place to care for them and give them what they need as they age,” said Premier Tim Houston. “They have given us so much, and it’s our turn to take care of them. Our vision for the future is twofold – a modern system that meets the needs of seniors and a skilled workforce to provide the care and support that seniors need. These investments will help us do just that.”
The single biggest investment is $22 million over the next two years to cover 100 per cent of tuition costs for over 2,000 students in continuing care assistant programs. Students will have the option of taking full- or part-time studies or participating in a new ‘work and learn’ training program that allows them to earn money while learning. Students in the new program will be in the workforce starting in February.
Other human resources investments in the next two and a half years include:
— $8 million to provide long-term care homes with funding to offer their casual and part-time employees full-time positions or to hire more staff to provide direct care
— $3.1 million to hire temporary staff through employment agencies while the Province builds a larger workforce
— $3.1 million in tuition rebates for current continuing care assistant students
— $2.1 million to recruit continuing care assistants nationally and internationally
— $1.4 million to improve staff scheduling and delivery of care
— $1.3 million to increase professional development opportunities for staff
— $1.3 million to attract workers to parts of the province where staffing is the most challenging
— $630,000 to double the number of people (to 600) having their prior skills and experience recognized so they can apply for the many available positions in continuing care
— $466,000 to provide injured or ill employees access to physiotherapy, occupational therapy, social work services and psychological services.
Investments over the next two and a half years to make more beds available to seniors waiting for long-term care include:
— $6.1 million to convert and license beds in residential care facilities and assisted living facilities to nursing home level care
— $5.9 million to license and fund 30 Veterans Affairs Canada beds for Nova Scotians who need them
— $1.8 million to extend an agreement with Shannex and the Sisters of Charity to keep 23 temporary nursing home beds open for another year.
