Victor Boudreau, the province’s health minister and leader
of the strategic program review, has suggested government may use a
financial means test to determine how much a senior citizen should pay
for long-term care. It seems seniors will be expected to help control
spending in the province’s social development department.
Governing
is the art of juggling priorities and the Liberal government should
take a hard look at its list before targeting seniors. The principle
that those of greater means should pay more of their share of extended
care shouldn’t necessarily be ruled out. Public funding for care should
be divided so those who need the most financial help receive it. But the
Liberals are trying to solve a specific expense problem without taking a
broader look at this issue.
New Brunswick had more deaths than
births for the first time in 2014 and our median age of 43.7 is the
oldest in Canada. We are growing older as a province and this
demographic shift will have a profound impact on health-care costs in
the years ahead. The fact there are 650 seniors already waiting for a
bed in a special care or nursing home is a leading indicator of the
looming crisis. We will need more special care and nursing home beds and
a larger percentage of New Brunswickers will need extended care with
fewer residents of a working age to support those public services.
Against this backdrop of rising health-care costs and an
expectation of seniors contributing more, the Liberals are embarking on a
large public infrastructure spending program. Finance Minister Roger
Melanson is hoping the federal government will contribute $30 million to
match the provincial contribution to twin Highway 11 between Shediac
and Shediac Bridge. We fail to see the logic behind spending $30 million
in new provincial money to twin a road while we ask our most elderly
citizens to sell their houses or dip into their RRSPs to help pay for
their care.
After contributing to our province and paying taxes
for decades, our seniors deserve to be more of a priority than asphalt.
We urge the Liberals to develop a full long-term care strategy that
determines how we will fund beds and ongoing care in a manner that is
fair to seniors and taxpayers. In the meantime, keep the paving crews
idle.
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Welcome
Coalition for Seniors and Nursing Home Residents' Rights
Annual Meeting
October 8 2022 - Peoples Park Tower - Moncton
1. Vision- Mission-Purpose- Universal Right
The Coalition advocates on behalf of all seniors with the government to implement and support affordable and accessible programs that enhance the quality of life for seniors and their families.
Membership Application-Established 2004
The Coalition for Seniors and Nursing Home Residents' Rights is comprised of groups and individuals who come together to endorse and promote shared principles.
It is a non-partisan, non-sectarian umbrella organization whose purpose is to lobby in order to achieve and maintain affordable and accessible programs that enhance the quality of life for seniors and their families.
Established in February of 2004, the Coalition is a broadly-based, in-incorporated organization of groups and individuals.
It has over 60 member groups that include seniors, retirees, labor, women's groups, church groups, legions, researchers and organizations committed to social justice. In turn, these represent over 100,000 members.
Any group supporting the Coalition's mission is welcome to join. Our activities are led by an 12 member Board. Board members are appointed by their respective organization.
It is a non-partisan, non-sectarian umbrella organization whose purpose is to lobby in order to achieve and maintain affordable and accessible programs that enhance the quality of life for seniors and their families.
Established in February of 2004, the Coalition is a broadly-based, in-incorporated organization of groups and individuals.
It has over 60 member groups that include seniors, retirees, labor, women's groups, church groups, legions, researchers and organizations committed to social justice. In turn, these represent over 100,000 members.
Any group supporting the Coalition's mission is welcome to join. Our activities are led by an 12 member Board. Board members are appointed by their respective organization.
The Coalition strives for cooperative decision-making and consensus.
All member organizations receive regular mailings and invitations to attend meetings and participate in group activities.
The Coalition has no on going funding or staff, although it gratefully acknowledges the generous support of its member group.
It relies on volunteer labor, fund-raising and contributions from members and supporters.
All member organizations receive regular mailings and invitations to attend meetings and participate in group activities.
The Coalition has no on going funding or staff, although it gratefully acknowledges the generous support of its member group.
It relies on volunteer labor, fund-raising and contributions from members and supporters.
Archive - Articles
Social Development
- https://www2.gnb.ca/content/gnb/en/departments/social_development/seniors.html