Question Period Note: EXPERT PANEL : SUPPORTING AGING AT HOME

Creation of an expert panel to examine measures, potentially including an aging at home benefit, that could further support older Canadians to age at home

Seniors want to live at home and in their communities as long as possible. However, it can become challenging as they age.

The Government of Canada has made significant investments to provide supports for older Canadian to age at home. This includes:

$6 billion over ten years transferred to provinces and territories to support their delivery of home and community care services;

$70 million annually for the New Horizons for Seniors Program to help seniors stay active and engaged in their communities, with an additional Budget 2022 investment of $20 million over two years to support more projects; and

$90 million until Fall 2025 for the Age Well at Home initiative which funds seniors-serving organizations to expand initiatives that have demonstrated positive results to help seniors age in place, and offer practical supports such as meals, light housekeeping, and yard work to low-income and otherwise vulnerable seniors in their communities.

While many measures are in place, the Government recognizes that there are issues that remain and need to be addressed. That is why, the Government announced that the National Seniors Council will serve as an expert panel to examine measures, including a potential aging at home benefit, to further support Canadians who wish to age within the comfort of their own homes. A report containing their advice is expected by end of September 2023.

Expert Panel

The Government has taken a number of actions to help seniors age in place, but more remains to be done. Budget 2022 proposed the creation of an expert panel to study the idea of an aging at home Benefit. The former Minister of Seniors and former Minister of Health announced in October 2022 that the National Seniors Council would serve as the expert panel.

Given their extensive knowledge and expertise on issues relevant to older adults as well as their connections to work being led in communities across the country, the National Seniors Council members are well positioned to provide advice on this important issue.

A report containing recommendations for federal consideration on potential ways ot enhance current measures or introduce new ones, including a potential new benefit, is scheduled to be submitted, by the National Seniors Council, to Ministers in September 2023. The report's recommendations will be based on evidence gathered through an extensive review of the literature; review of current domestic practices as well as international initiatives; views shared by Canadians, caregivers, and care providers; and engagement with experts and other key stakeholders. The study is delving deep to understand the current gaps and areas where further supports are most needed.

New Horizons for Seniors Program

Supporting the social participation and inclusion of seniors is one of the objectives of the New Horizons for Seniors Program. Through Budget 2022, the Government of Canada invested an additional $20 million in the program over two years - to support more projects that improve the quality of life for seniors and help them continue fully participate in their communities.

The community-based stream funds 1-year projects through grants of up to $25K following an annual Call for Proposals, whereas the pan-Canadian stream funds multi-year and more complex projects through contributions up to $5M, with funding calls held every five years.

Age Well at Home Initiative

The Government is investing $90M for the Age Well at Home initiative, until fiscal year 2025-2026. The initiative was announced in Budget 2021 and supports local, regional and national projects led by seniors-serving organizations. Funded projects are piloting new approaches and expanding services that have already demonstrated results in helping seniors to age at home.

Seniors-serving organizations are being funded to help seniors age at home through two funding streams:

In-Home Support Pilot Projects (Local Pilot Projects)
Experienced organizations deliver one or more eligible in-home support services (e.g., housekeeping, meal preparation, transportation) to low income or otherwise vulnerable seniors, and help them navigate and access eligible services provided by other local organizations.

Scaling Up for Seniors (National/Regional Projects)
Projects that have already been shown to help seniors age at home are being expanded to serve more seniors.

Home and Community Care

Healthcare is a shared responsibility between the Government of Canada and provincial and territorial (PT) governments. While the federal government provides financial support to the provinces and territories for health care services, the responsibility for matters related to the administration and delivery of these services, including home and palliative care, falls within provincial and territorial jurisdiction.

Budget 2017 federal investments of $6 billion over 10 years to provinces and territories for home and community care, including palliative care, have been provided under the Common Statement of Principles on Shared Health Priorities.

At the meeting with premiers in February 2023, the federal government announced it will increase health funding to provinces and territories by close to $200 billion over 10 years, including $46.2 billion in new funding. This amount includes $25 billion to advance shared health priorities through tailored bilateral agreements, building on the $7.8 billion over five years that has yet to flow to provinces and territories for mental health and substance use, home and community care (including palliative care), and long-term care.

Aging with Dignity agreements are currently being negotiated with Provinces and Territories for the remaining years of the home and community care funding, and the new funding for longterm care (Budget 2021). Aging with Dignity agreements are expected to be finalized and announced in fiscal year 2023-2024.

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