Manitoba promises $4.5M for seniors’ programs; advocate hopes it will help those with dementia
Posted March 16, 2023 7:17 pm.
Last Updated March 16, 2023 9:32 pm.
Manitoba announced new programming for seniors Thursday with the hope it will better support those living with dementia.
Seniors Minister Scott Johnston pledged $4.5 million in additional investment for several programs geared towards seniors’ wellbeing.
“Age-friendly initiatives ensure that communities are safe, inclusive and accessible for all ages, including seniors,” said Johnston.
Johnston says the initiatives will take into consideration dementia-friendly communities.
“Six unique programs that offer high-quality services and foster safe, inclusive and accessible communities.”
Erin Crawford, the program director of Alzheimer Society of Manitoba, says although the funding is not going directly to any dementia-friendly initiatives, age-friendly programs can still be benefit people with dementia.
“Any time there is funding for priorities related to senior issues, that’s really important,” said Crawford.
“But our hope is that our age-friendly initiative, and what we see in the press release is that there’s an intent, borrows some of the dementia-friendly lens as well.”
WATCH: Manitoba government press conference – March 16, 2023
According to the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, by 2030 the number of people living with dementia in Canada will nearly double.
Crawford says when it comes to addressing dementia-related issues, there needs to be both a community and health approach.
“Priorities that people with dementia and their care partners told us is that they need better home care, they need better housing options, they need better financial supports, they need dementia-friendly communities and better system navigation,” said Crawford.
Crawford says although these age-friendly programs are a step in the right direction, time will tell whether there’s an impact on seniors living with dementia.
“I think there’s an interest in working to ensure that age friendly has some dementia friendly components. We’ll see from there how embedded that becomes, that remains to be seen.”
