Minister of Seniors, Kamal Khera and the Minister of Health, Jean-Yves Duclos announced the launch of public consultations, led by the National Seniors Council (NSC), acting as the Expert Panel that will inform measures to support Canadians to age at home in dignity. The consultation will be available from March 20 until April 14, 2023. This will provide stakeholders and Canadians with the opportunity to share their views and their lived experiences on this issue.
Canadians are encouraged to participate in the consultation process. The NSC is hoping to reach as many people as possible, from diverse backgrounds and perspectives. This is an opportunity for everyone to provide feedback on how to best support Canadians wishing to age closer to home and family, and to ensure that their voices are heard and their needs are met.
The NSC has been asked to serve as an expert panel to examine measures, including a potential aging at home benefit, to further support Canadians who wish to age within the comfort of their own homes. To inform their work, the NSC is engaging with a diverse audience of older Canadians, caregivers, stakeholders, and experts to determine the needs of older Canadians and to identify the gaps in current supports for aging at home.
As we work to prepare for a growing aging population, we want to hear directly from older Canadians about ways to further support them to age in their own homes and communities for as long as possible. Older Canadians and their caregivers best understand their needs, and engaging with them is vital to ensuring they are supporting the solution. The launch of the consultations are aligned with our historic investments of $6 billion in home care and community care services, as well as a significant funding package of $198.6 billion to improve our healthcare system.” – Minister of Seniors, Kamal Khera
“Every senior deserves to age in dignity, safety, and comfort, regardless of where they live. These public consultations are an important tool to ensure applicable programs and services meet the specific needs of seniors wanting to age closer to home and family. We will keep working with provinces and territories and all partners to help seniors get the care they deserve, when and where they need it.” – Minister of Health, Jean-Yves Duclos