Long Term Care Funding To Improve Seniors Care

Released on December 6, 2013

Province Allocates Urgent Issues Action Fund

Residents of Saskatchewan’s long-term care facilities will benefit from improved quality of care and quality of life.

Health Minister Dustin Duncan today announced the allocation of the Urgent Issues Action Fund to address priority issues identified by health regions stemming from CEO tours of long-term care facilities earlier this year.

“We are committed to making improvements that place the needs of our long-term care residents first,” Duncan said.  “Today we are providing funding to the health regions to address issues that improve quality of care for seniors.  This is an important step in the transformation of our long-term care system.”

The initial October commitment of $10 million has been bolstered.  Regions have received $10.04 million to address urgent issues, as well as $3.8 million to address ongoing pressures.  Examples include:

• Purchasing priority equipment including lifts, tubs, electric beds and pressure supports to improve care for residents, while allowing staff more time to spend on direct client care;
• Training staff in the Gentle Persuasion Approach which helps front-line staff better care for residents with dementia; 
• Improving quality of life through improved dietary services and programming opportunities; and
• Implementing electronic charting and point-of-care technologies that allow staff to spend more time with residents.

Next week, more than 100 health system leaders, long-term care providers, families and other stakeholders from across Saskatchewan will take part in an engagement session, to focus on quality and appropriate models of care in long-term care settings, as well as the broader continuum of care.

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For more information, contact:

Tyler McMurchy
Health 
Regina 
Phone: 306-787-4083