News release

Government Invests in Programs and Supports for Older Nova Scotians

Seniors (Oct. 2007 - Aug. 2021)

Older adults are enjoying healthier, longer lives. More than a quarter of our population is expected to be over the age of 65 by 2030.

That is why government is investing millions in programs and initiatives that support positive aging and make our communities a preferred place for older adults to live, work and connect.

That has been the focus of SHIFT: Nova Scotia’s Action Plan for an Aging Population which government launched in 2017. Through SHIFT we are encouraging volunteerism and entrepreneurship, working to create age-friendly communities, expand community transit, increase funding for home repairs and home accommodations and expand home care. More details around the next phase of SHIFT will be announced in the spring.

“I am proud of the considerable progress we have made in the last few years on the issues that matter most to older adults,” said Leo Glavine, Minister of Seniors. “This year’s budget is continuing that work by supporting senior entrepreneurs, retaining older workers, investing in housing options and health care, helping people stay healthy, improving accessibility, combating social isolation and more.”

This year, government is investing $6.1 million in seniors pharmacare, to make it easier for older Nova Scotians to access medications when and where they need them.

Government is also addressing other important health-care needs that matter to older Nova Scotians including $1.1 million for the Red Cross Health Equipment Loan Program. This funding will be used to buy more equipment, like beds, wheelchairs and specialized mattresses for residents in long-term care facilities funded by the Department of Health and Wellness.

For those Nova Scotians who need more support and care, increased investment will enhance long-term care in the province, making more beds available to Nova Scotians and better supporting those with complex needs and improving facilities. Investments in community and business accessibility programs, community transportation and age-friendly community programs will help ensure those who want to stay in their homes longer can stay connected to their communities.

Additional investments that could benefit older adults include:

  • $496,000 annually, for three more years for NS GovLab, Nova Scotia’s first social innovation lab that works to address complex issues associated with aging
  • $1.2 million is being invested to support Let’s Get Moving Nova Scotia, the action plan to create a more active, inclusive and healthier population. This funding will support work to build upon existing physical activity networks, programs and resources and addresses gaps to make it easier for all Nova Scotians, including seniors, to move more and sit less. A focus will be on Mi’kmaw communities
  • $8.3 million to offer free home energy assessments and upgrades for homeowners through the Home Warming Program
  • $2 million to sustain the Affordable Renters Program which can lower energy bills for low-income renters, make homes more comfortable and ensure rents remain stable through energy efficiency upgrades to multi-unit buildings

Quotes:

“NS GovLab takes on the complex realities of aging and invites new thinking, new perspectives and asks, how might we do this better? The social innovation lab offers individual Nova Scotians the chance to help shape how we collectively respond to the opportunities and challenges created by our aging demographics. I am pleased to see this worthwhile initiative is receiving continued funding.”

– Helen MacDonnell, former fellow, NS GovLab and executive director, Community Links

Quick Facts:

  • Seniors’ Safety Program builds relationships between seniors and policing, providing education about senior safety concerns including health, crime prevention and senior abuse prevention through 16 multi-year funding agreements across the province
  • Age Friendly Communities Grant program provides funding up to $25,000 for projects that lead to more age-friendly and inclusive communities. Close to $412,000 was awarded in 2018-19 to fund a range of initiatives that advance the goals of SHIFT. Projects fall into two categories, age friendly community planning and community projects
  • Nova Scotia Community College recently received $210,000 from Budget 2019-20 towards their Centre of Rural Aging and Health (CORAH) Program, a caregiver respite care program offering recreation and social programming for seniors. CORAH started at its Annapolis Valley Campus in Middleton 10 years ago and is expanding to three more communities across the province
  • 2,588 Nova Scotians entered long-term care in 2018-19: 2,302 to nursing homes and 286 to residential care facilities. The waitlist for long-term care placement has decreased by 49 per cent since 2015. The wait time for initial placement in a nursing home has decreased by 49 per cent since 2016. the wait time for initial placement in residential care has decreased by 78 per cent since 2016

Additional Resources:

Information on the Department of Seniors, Seniors’ Safety and Age Friendly Community Grant program: https://novascotia.ca/seniors/

Updates on SHIFT: https://novascotia.ca/shift/

Information on Let’s Get Moving Nova Scotia: https://novascotia.ca/letsgetmoving/

Nova Scotia Seniors Twitter: https://twitter.com/NSSeniors

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