Province fronts cash for Indigenous seniors’ homes – St. Albert Gazette
March 16, 2023
Healthy elders are the future, says Chief Arcand
New funds in this year’s provincial budget for continuing care homes could help more elders live longer in their home communities, says the chief of Alexander First Nation.
Alberta Health Minister Jason Copping and Indigenous Relations Minister Rick Wilson were at the Kipohtakawkamik Elder’s Lodge in Alexander First Nation March 16 to announce that the province would issue a second call for proposals for culturally appropriate continuing care facilities in First Nations and Métis communities this summer as part of its Continuing Care Capital Program.
Said program, which is receiving $310 million over three years as part of the 2023 provincial budget, is meant to bolster the province’s continuing care system, which covers home care, supportive living, and long-term care. The program includes a dedicated stream for Indigenous care facilities as recommended by the 2021 Facility-Based Continuing Care Review, which called on the province to collaborate with Indigenous communities to provide culturally appropriate continuing care services.
