August 17, 2009
Province Commits to More Personal-care Home Beds in Morden/Winkler Area: Oswald
MORDEN—Work will begin immediately to examine options to increase the number of personal-care home beds in the Morden/Winkler area, Health Minister Theresa Oswald announced today.
“We know this region needs more support to meet the medical and housing needs of its citizens,” said Oswald. “The Morden and Winkler area has seen a dramatic increase in population and this expansion will support the growing need for personal-care home beds in the area.”
Oswald noted the province is continuing to invest in health capital projects.
“Given the current economic situation, developing the best possible business case for capital projects is crucial,” said Oswald. “This next step will determine the exact scope of the project and whether or not the current Tabor Home facility should be substantially renovated and expanded. It will also examine the benefits of a new build with partnerships to broaden the range of housing options for seniors.”
“This work will allow us to continue to support people in our region who need the specialized care offered by a personal-care home,” said Jim Hunter, acting chief executive officer of Regional Health Authority – Central Manitoba. “We welcome this new opportunity to look at how we can expand personal-care services in the region.”
Depending on the level of care and support required, the province works with regional health authorities to offer a range of services for seniors. Services for seniors can include placement in a personal-care home, which provides 24-hour support combined with appropriate medical care.
“For many years this facility has ensured that quality care and services are available to its senior residents,” said Wilf Warkentin, board chair of Tabor Home. “We are looking forward to working with the province on this project, which will help seniors to remain in their community and close to their loved ones.”
Oswald noted the province continues to implement its long-term care strategy to provide housing options for seniors and works with regional health authorities to offer a range of services including:
· home care, which provides community-based supports for health and daily living activities;
· the Support Services to Seniors Program, which provides services such as home maintenance, transportation and help with errands through community resource councils, and congregate meals programs to help maintain seniors’ independence in the community;
· supports for seniors in group living to help with small but important daily tasks like personal appointments, which allows seniors to continue to live independently in the community;
· supportive housing options for seniors who require 24-hour support and supervision; and
· placement in personal-care homes, which provide 24-hour support combined with appropriate medical care.
“Our seniors have worked hard taking care of us, providing for us, building our community and helping it grow and prosper,” said Doug Wilson, mayor of Morden. “Through this project, we will now fulfil our responsibility to take good care of them by making sure they get the care they need, close to their families and friends.”
Today’s announcement builds on the work of the Age-Friendly Manitoba Initiative to support seniors in leading active, socially engaged, independent lives that contribute to healthy aging, the minister said.
She also noted the goal is to make Manitoba the most age-friendly province in Canada by working with communities to enhance the programs and services that benefit the well-being of all seniors.
Today’s announcement also builds on other recent health investments in the Morden/Winkler area including:
· investing in supports for seniors in group living for 50 units at Tabor Units in Morden;
· investing in other diagnostic equipment including the purchase and installation of a $1.5 million replacement CT scanner at the Boundary Trails Regional Health Centre;
· installing the second magnetic resonance imager (MRI) located outside of Winnipeg at the Boundary Trails Health Centre; and
· increasing the number of hip and knee surgeries provided at the Boundary Trails Health Centre.
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