More Support for Seniors and Persons With Disabilities

Published by the Premier's Office

Thursday, August 29, 2013

Persons with disabilities, seniors and people with mental health issues will be able to choose the kinds of services and supports they need to live with greater independence in their own communities, as a result of changes announced by Premier Darrell Dexter.

Quotes

“ Living independently and being included in your community is a basic right for everybody. But over the years, programs became inflexible, impersonal, and unable to respond quickly to many people's needs. ” Premier Darrell Dexter

“ Nova Scotia is moving in a new direction, developed by, and for, the people directly involved, that will put people first and help them lead the lives they deserve in their communities. ” Premier Darrell Dexter

“ This is a very exciting and hopeful day. In order to start meeting the needs and unlocking the potential of our family members and neighbours with disabilities, we need a vision of equality and good lives in inclusive communities. ” Wendy Lill, co-chair of the advisory committee and the parent of a child with special needs

“ This is just the beginning and I look forward working together to realize this vision. ” Wendy Lill, co-chair of the advisory committee and the parent of a child with special needs

“ Ellie lived with us for many years. She was loved and supported at home, but as her health deteriorated and stresses on her increased, we knew we had reached a point where we had to shift from looking after her to looking out for her and we couldn.t find the right fit for her. But in the end we were heard, and Ellie is now in a fantastic place in the community close me that she loves. ” Sheila Henman, whose 59-year-old sister Ellie Chisholm has Down syndrome and lives in an assisted living setting in Waverley

“ It is so important that everyone with a disability and every family struggling, or looking for the right kind of support for a loved one with a disability, be heard. People told us that bureaucratic and inflexible government programs don't work. They have good ideas about the kind of care and support they need to live with independence and dignity. ” Premier Darrell Dexter

“ While this type of full-scale change will take time and hard work to achieve, we are committed to it. We will work closely with families, advocates and our staff to ensure that our services work for the people they're meant to help, not the other way around. ” Premier Darrell Dexter

Quick Facts

  • The premier outlined a commitment to provide a more modern, community-focused support system that gives people from the province greater choice and control over where they live and the kind of care they receive. He also shared three immediate actions in keeping with this new direction.
    They are:
    • establishing a single entry point for programs and services, for continuing care and services for persons with disabilities
    • launching a demonstration project to help families develop their own community-based housing solutions
    • developing new legislation that will replace the outdated Homes for Special Care Act and provide more modern, people-centred, community-focused support for persons with disabilities, seniors, and people with mental health issues.
  • This past spring, Nova Scotians shared their ideas about how to improve the supports the province offers to people requiring longer-term care.
  • The report, Putting People First: What We Heard, summarizes those consultations.
  • At the same time, a 19-member advisory committee of government and community organizations, including advocates, service providers, frontline workers and families, developed a roadmap to refocus and improve the services and supports for persons with disabilities.
  • Action plans to address the recommendations raised through both projects will be released in the coming months.
  • The actions are part of a larger strategy to change the way the province provides support for those who receive continuing care. The advisory committee has also made 10 recommendations to improve services in a report released today.

Learn More

Media Contacts

Lucas Wide
Cell: 902-471-4234
E-mail:
Chad Lucas
Cell: 902-478-7302
E-mail:

Images

Community Services Minister Denise Peterson-Rafuse speaks at the announcement.
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Premier Darrell Dexter speaks with Sheila Henman, whose 59-year-old sister Ellie Chisholm has Down syndrome and lives in an assisted living setting in Waverley.
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Premier Darrell Dexter speaks with the media.
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Premier Darrell Dexter chats with staff at Lake City Woodworkers, where many staff with special needs are employed.
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Premier Darrell Dexter at the podium, with Community Services Minister Denise Peterson-Rafuse and Wendy Lill, co-chair of the advisory committee and the parent of a child with special needs, seated beside him.
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A sign language interpreter signs for audience members while Premier Darrell Dexter speaks.
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Audience members applaud the announcement.
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Wendy Lill, co-chair of the advisory committee and the parent of a child with special needs, talks about the report.
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Community Services Minister Denise Peterson-Rafuse hugs Sheila Henman, whose 59-year-old sister Ellie Chisholm has Down syndrome and lives in an assisted living setting in Waverley.
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Audio

Premier Darrell Dexter says it’s a new direction.
Premier Dexter says a solid roadmap for the future has been built.
Community Services Minister Denise Peterson-Rafuse says this has been a goal of the government since day one.
Wendy Lill, co-chair of the advisory committee and the parent of a child with special needs, says a vision of equality was needed.
Sheila Henman, whose sister has Down syndrome and lives in an assisted living setting in Waverley, is encouraged with the announcement.