The provincial government will develop a new plan for long-term care.
The Department of Social Development has begun work on the plan, which will respond to the needs of the province’s aging population.
The department oversees New Brunswick’s portfolio of nursing homes, adult residential facilities and home support for seniors and people with disabilities.
The new long-term care plan will outline ways to provide the support and services needed to keep seniors living as independently as possible.
“Our current provincial long-term care system is stretched to its capacity, and critical challenges are on the way as the average age of the population continues to climb and the landscape of the province is changing through COVID and the continued increase in migration to the province,” said Social Development Minister Bruce Fitch in a release.
“We need a sustainable system that is not focused only on facility-based care but also leverages community and home-care services to support seniors in being independent as long as possible. Investments should be made at the front end, rather than in a more reactive fashion,” continued Fitch.
It is intended to focus on the full continuum of care, providing appropriate support based on a person’s needs.
As well, aim to make services more accessible and create awareness of how people can receive them.
The province will also require stakeholder engagement, which will take place during the coming months.
