News Release

CAMPBELLTON (GNB) – The Restigouche region will receive 36 new memory care beds.

“Our multi-year aging strategy is guiding our investments so we can improve the aging experience for New Brunswickers,” said Premier Brian Gallant. “Investing to enhance home care and to create new memory care beds will ensure seniors in the Restigouche region receive the level of care they need and deserve.”

The beds are part of the 2018-2023 Nursing Home Plan, which involves creating more than 400 memory care beds provincewide. The plan also features the construction of ten 60-bed nursing homes around the province.

This year’s budget contained a number of investments and strategies to benefit seniors and their caregivers, such as:

• $2.1 million in additional funding for specialized beds for people with advanced dementia.

• $12 million to increase wages for special care workers and home support workers.

• $1.25 million for a pilot project to help free up acute-care beds.

• $2.1 million for a wage supplement program focused on seniors, to encourage companies to hire seniors.

• $800,000 to begin implementing the New Brunswick Aging Strategy.

• $11.3 million for a program to support informal caregivers.

These initiatives are in addition to other programs for seniors, such as the Home First strategy, the Seniors Health, Well-Being and Home Safety Review, wellness clinics and the Age-Friendly Communities Recognition Program, as well as other investments in senior care, such as affordable housing and home care.

Fostering healthy aging and support for seniors is one of the seven priority areas outlined in the New Brunswick Family Plan framework, which also focuses government action on: improving access to primary and acute care; promoting wellness; supporting people with addictions and mental health challenges; advancing women’s equality; reducing poverty and providing support for people living with a disability.