News Release

INKERMAN (GNB) – Premier Brian Gallant announced today that the Acadian Peninsula will be receiving 27 new memory care beds.

“For all New Brunswick families to be healthy it is important that we ensure seniors who have dementia receive the appropriate level of care when they need it,’’ said Gallant. “That is why your government is creating more memory care and nursing home beds in New Brunswick.”

The new beds are part of the 2018-2023 Nursing Home Plan, which includes the addition of more than 400 memory care beds provincewide. The plan also involves the construction of 10 new 60-bed nursing homes around the province.

The provincial 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 human services 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.