By David Opinko/LethbridgeNewsNOW

Safe Long-Term Care Fund

Ottawa giving Alberta $115 million for seniors care

Aug 24, 2022 | 11:53 AM

A new agreement between the federal and provincial governments will see additional funding to support seniors living in long-term care in Alberta.

Officials have signed the Safe Long-Term Care Fund (SLTCF) agreement with Alberta, which will provide the province with $115 million.

Federal Minister of Health Jean-Yves Duclos says Canadians should have access to safe and quality healthcare at all stages of their lives.

“Today’s agreement with Alberta will help address the challenges affecting long-term care homes to ensure that all seniors are treated with dignity and receive appropriate care,” says Duclos. “By working with all provinces and territories to strengthen our health care system, our government will continue to be there for seniors in Alberta, and everywhere in Canada.”

Funding under the SLTCF will be used for wage top-ups for health care aides, hiring additional staff to enhance screenings and cleaning protocols for COVID-19 and other infections, ensuring an adequate supply of PPE for staff and visitors, and reducing occupancy levels within shared rooms.

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Calgary Skyview MP George Chahal says the COVID-19 pandemic has had a disproportionate impact on seniors in Alberta, especially among those living in long-term care homes.

“With this partnership between our federal and provincial governments, long-term care homes in Alberta will be able to further support their staff and infection prevention in order to improve the quality of life for seniors and keep their living environment safe,” says Chahal.

Alberta Health Minister Jason Copping says, since Mach 2020, the provincial government has provided approximately $300 million annually in funding to protect staff and residents in continuing care homes and contracted home care from COVID-19. He is grateful for the additional support from Ottawa.