PANB Focus On Seniors, Home-Care Organizations

The People’s Alliance leader says seniors and home-care organizations are in need of more support.

Kris Austin announced Thursday his party would provide a percentage of the $2,000 educational costs for personal care assistants in the form of a rebate.

“Personal care assistants provide seniors with help with things including medications, foot care, bathing, dressing, housekeeping and so much more,” said a news release from the party.

Austin also promised to reduce the amount of red tape for seniors to access the home care system to reduce wait times.

The party said being at home allows seniors to retain much of their independence.

“Their emotional and physical wellbeing is often tied to being in familiar surroundings. It’s also far healthier to remain at home where one isn’t subjected to the possibility of picking up illnesses which can sometimes be present in a clinical setting such as a hospital or a nursing home,” said the release.

Austin said his party pushed the government to increase hourly wages for personal care assistants to more than $15 this October.