Quebec allots $14.6 million more for seniors’ health services in Laval

Better health and social services will be available to Laval’s senior citizens in the coming year following an announcement by Quebec of $14.6 million in additional and recurring annual funding for that purpose.

On Dec. 19, Liberal Health and Social Services Minister Dr. Yves Bolduc dropped by Laval’s Place des Ainés seniors’ community centre accompanied by Seniors Minister Marguerite Blais to announce the release of the funding. Three of Laval’s four Liberal MNAs, Guy Ouellette of Chomedey, Francine Charbonneau of Mille-Îles and Alain Paquet of Laval-des-Rapides, were also on hand.

Improvements due
Last March, the Charest government confirmed the allocation of $150 million for 2011 and $200 million for the following years, in order to improve health and social services for seniors across the province. “Today’s announcement will allow us to improve aspects of health and social services and to put into place the necessary resources to respond to the needs,” said the health minister.
In Laval, $3 million annually has been set aside for the further development of a homecare network for seniors. According to government estimates, the money will pay for 32,574 supplementary hours of work by health care personnel. As well, $11.6 million per year is being set aside for intermediary resources for seniors afflicted with loss of personal autonomy and services for seniors who are just being released from hospital.

Improving home care
“These important investments will ensure better access to care and services for seniors in the region of Laval,” Blais said. “Today’s announcement represents one more step forward in our policy for aging at home and demonstrates that the government is more than ever listening to its senior citizens. Thanks to these close-at-hand services, seniors will be able to remain in their living space, whether they’re in good health or losing their autonomy. In this way, we are turning a vision of a society for all ages into a reality.”

Cutting pressure
While not present for the announcement, Fabre Liberal MNA Michelle Courchesne said in a statement that seniors from Laval are certain to feel the benefits of this additional aid, as will the workers who provide the health and social services. “There’s no doubt that these new budgetary measures, which are recurring, will help relieve pressure overall on the health system, and in particular the emergency at Cité de la santé,” said Courchesne.