RMA board members had the opportunity to meet with Minister Pon
RMA had the opportunity to meet with the Honourable Minister of Seniors and Housing, Josephine Pon, last week. These meetings are crucial for building relationships with the new government and discussing issues of importance for rural Alberta. The following items were discussed:
- Funding for various levels of seniors’ care in rural Alberta:
- Funding for lodges can be a cost-effective way to provide seniors’ care outside of a long-term care or acute care facility.
- Access to home care, lodges, and acute care in rural Alberta is important to allow seniors to age in place and be able to be close to family.
- In the past, the Affordable Supportive Living Initiative (ASLI) has been an effective tool to fund seniors care facilities.
- Access to capital financing:
- Seniors authorities would benefit from being able to access credit from the Alberta Capital Finance Authority. This would provide the seniors authorities with a lower cost source of credit without being reliant on a municipality to co-sign the loan.
- Funding for hospice care:
- Related to funding for seniors’ lodges and acute care, funding for hospice care in rural Alberta is critical for allowing seniors to remain in their communities.
The RMA will continue to work with the Minister and her staff on these and other items, and looks forward to future discussions on issues relevant to the Ministry of Seniors and Housing.
Warren Noga
Policy Analyst
warren@RMAlberta.com
Tasha Blumenthal
Director of External Relations & Advocacy
tasha@RMAlberta.com