Community service programs gets boost

Just less than $100,000 in provincial funding will be going to Northwestern Independent Living Services Inc. in the Kenora/Rainy River Districts as a part of a $19.1 million fund to long-term care community programs.
Cam Jackson, minister responsible for seniors, announced yesterday the money would be going to 104 community agencies across the province for programs such as Meals on Wheels, adult day program and supportive housing for the elderly and people with disabilities.
“Our government is deeply committed to ensuring that seniors and disabled individuals have expanded access to the community services they need,” Jackson said. “This funding announcement confirms our plan to expand access to community based services across the province.”
“The Ontario Community Support Association is very pleased that the government has demonstrated its deep commitment to community services with today’s funding increase,” said Joe McReynolds, executive director of the Ontario Community Support Association.
“This funding means people all across Ontario who need support can continue to live independently at home and those who need help at home following surgery will have more services available to them,” he added.
Yesterday’s announcement means more services such as in-home attendants for people with physical disabilities and services for people with Alzheimer’s and their caregivers. It also means more friendly visiting for seniors, as well as adult day programs for seniors.
This comes shortly after Jackson announced Monday $83.7 million would be provided to 33 Community Care Access Centres for more in-home nursing, homemaking and therapy.
With these two announcements, spending on long-term care community services will be $346 million more than in 1994/95–a 39 percent increase.
“We know that our community agencies need increased funding so they can continue to make a wide variety of essential supports available to the people in their communities,” Jackson said.
“We have helped thousands more Ontarians since 1995 with improved long-term care services,” he added. “Even before this spring’s announcement of multi-year funding long-term care, the ministry had already increased spending on long-term car by $250 million.”