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20 Wednesday November 18 2015 YELLOWKNIFE NORTH D. Wong I believe we must continue to support our Extended Healthcare Benefit programs even in the face of tighter budgets. Our Extended Health Benefit programs help address the high cost environment for northern seniors. Eroding these important programs will result in even more seniors leaving the NWT well lose our competiveness with other communities. Above all any changes to the Extended Healthcare Benefits must be done in full consultation with the NWTYK Seniors Societies the public and other key stakeholders. C. Vanthuyne This is a question about financial security for our Seniors. These benefits are one way to support our Seniors in their ability to afford living here in the North. I will work to ensure that the benefits remain and that appropriate reviews are made so infla- tionary costs for medical services are adjusted for accordingly. E. Castillo NWT Seniors need to be provided with the respect they deserve for all their past and continued contributions. No changes should be made to the EHB without full consultation and collaboration with NWT and Community Seniors organizations. I would remain an active participant and advocate for continuation of EHB for NWT seniors. However I have some res- ervations that relate to the permanent residency requirement. Right now it seems if a senior moved to the NWTfrom another jurisdiction 3 months after getting their NWTHealth Care Card they become eligible for the full EHB and some seniors from other jurisdictions are migrating to the NWT only to take quick advantage of the generous benefits. This needs to be reviewed. B. Nind The GNWT sponsors the Extended Health Benefits for Seniors Programfor non- Native and Mtis residents of the NWT 60 years of age and over giving them access to a range of benefits not covered by hospital and medical care insurance. Joint consultation with seniors organizations advocates and GNWT program administrators must be sup- ported. As an MLA I would work with seniors in my constituency and with local and territo- rial senior organizations to ensure that this program is maintained and developed further in a common sense approach as demand increases because of a growing senior population. YELLOWKNIFE SOUTH B. McLeod NWT seniors enjoy one of the highest levels of Extended Healthcare Ben- efits. I have in the past and will continue to support the continuation of these services. 2. What will you do to support ageing-in-place FRAME LAKE YELLOWKNIFE R. Erasmus Ageing-in-place can be improved by housing subsidies services and more affordable housing and I would advocate for this. I would also work towards infrastructure improvements for existing units. I feel the government needs to support this more than they do seniors need to have homes in a safe community environment be comfortable and maintain a suitable level of independence. K. OReilly Exercise and active living programs can help keep seniors moving and as independent as possible. Effective home and continuing care programs offered through the public health system can also help seniors stay in their own homes and remain inde- pendent. GNWT must ensure there is a full suite of different housing options available that are appropriate to meet the changing needs of people as they age. Avens and its campus concept is a great example of what can be done to provide a range of housing options but we need to provide ongoing funding and meet the growing needs of seniors. GREAT SLAVE YELLOWKNIFE G. Abernethy Ageing-in-place has long term benefits for seniors and the GNWT must continue to work with stakeholders to ensure that seniors who wish to continue to live in- dependently and with dignity in the comfort of their own homes can continue to do so. In response the GNWT released Our Elders Our Communities which focuses on supporting ageing in place. If re-elected I will continue to apply the guiding principles of this aging in place strategic framework and continue to work with stakeholders like the NWT Seniors Society and MLAs to move forward on the seven priority areas outlined in framework. C. Clarke Ageing in place is extremely important for the continuation of our cultures and bet- terment of seniors and elders. Having been born and raised in the NWT elders in my family have always been extremely important and integral to me. I was lucky to live with my great grandmother Mary Louis King ne Desjarlais Lockhart and Danny and Doris McQueen. Be- cause of this I have a great realization that the place we are from defines ourselves.As the first Dene architect registered in the NWT I have had the good fortune to be part of the design of seniors and elders housing and long term care facilities. In this capacity I have worked for both the NWT Housing Corporation and the Department of Health and Social Services. In addition to understanding the importance of our seniors and elders continuing their lives in their com- munities from my life experience I have worked in several community consultations through my work as an architect.Affordable housing is key to ageing in place. Furthermore ageing-in-place requires a continuum of care which will ensure that seniors and elders can live in their chosen places for as long as possible. We need to continue to develop home care in our communities which requires a collaborative approach between the NWT Seniors Society regional and local governments the Department of Health and Social Services community Health Care Facilities and the NWT Housing Corporation amongst others. All communities and organizations need to work together to ensure that our seniors and elders can live and flourish in their home com- munities for a long as possible and preferably our entire lives if desired. HAY RIVER NORTH R. Bouchard We know that the aging population will need support in many different ways. They will need assistance at home they will need home care we will have to ex- pand our extended care facilities. HAY RIVER SOUTH J. Groenewegen I believe there is a need to increase the number of housing units avail- able for Seniors in each community as well as ensuring adequate access to services such as home care and respite care for Seniors. B. Willows See question 1. KAM LAKE YELLOWKNIFE D. Ramsay I have a solid track record of support for seniors and trying to allow seniors to stay in the NWT. The programs and services need to be here where they are required. I have continued to support the construction and operation of much needed seniors facili- ties around the territory. K. Testart The ability to live in ones own home and community in comfort and dignity is an important goal that our government must strive to achieve. I will prioritize the needs of Northerners and I have made reducing the high cost of living a major part of my plan for the next government. Ageing-in-place must be pursued with a comprehensive approach that involves all levels of government working together to provide essential services that support the needs of our communities. I will work to access new funding from the federal government build strong partnerships with municipal and Aboriginal governments and prioritize new funding for infrastructure and social programs delivered by the GNWT and designed to support the needs of our residents. NAHENDEH S. Thompson I believe ageing in place has long term benefits for seniors for their families their communities and the NWT. I believe by allowing seniors to continue to live independently where possible you are giving the dignity they deserve. Id be willing to work the NWT Seniors Society to their voice and would advocate for legislation. RANGE LAKE YELLOWKNIFE D. Dolynny With wait times in some of our independent housing for seniors at greater than 6 years the concept of aging-in-place takes on a new meaning. Recent reports have some strategic advice but lack on targeted investments. We need to look beyond the bricks and mortar and we need to look at innovative choices for Long Term Care in-home programs that is we need to go beyond the aging-in-place current strategy. We need to be culturally and language appropriate with the right care at the right times with the right place philosophy. C. Cochrane-Johnson Northern people are connected to the land and their communities. Therefore we must support ageing in place as long as possible. The GNWT must ensure the Federal Government provides the promised infrastructure monies for housing prioritize the cost of living provide long-term care support training continue providing public awareness on older adult abuse and promoting healthy ageing ensure our legislation supports ageing in place poli- cies.At a community level we also have a role in supporting aging in place. Visit your neighbour help clear driveways shovel snow off roofs mow lawns and watch over others when their family cannot be there. THEBACHA M. Miltenberger I will support the current initiatives of HSS with Home Care the current Hous- ing initiatives related to seniors housing and home repair ECEs senior fuel subsidy program and MACAs tax rebate program for seniors. L. Sebert The vast majority of aging Canadians wish to remain in their homes as long as pos- sible even as their health changes. I would support programs that assist aging in place including programs that assist retrofitting seniors homes to allow them to remain in their homes. D. Jaque Aging in place ensures a greater quality of life and increases longevity. It is also cheaper than institutional solutions or especially hospitalization. Programs for home modifica- tion and technology enhancement for seniors should be implemented to enhance aging in place. YELLOWKNIFE CENTRE J. Green It is important to support programs that focus on seniors needs. The GNWT needs to work with seniors so that they can live in their own home and community safely and in- dependently regardless of their income or ability. I support the development of a multi-party government seniors their families service providers plan to pilot the ageing-in-place concept perhaps atAvens where a range of services already exists. I have talked to several seniors who have had to move away because the services they need dont exist in the North. I would like them to have the choice to stay with their community for the rest of their lives. YELLOWKNIFE NORTH D. Wong Seniors should be able to stay in their home if they choose for as long as possible. This means we should seriously consider grant programs to assist seniors with the renovations they need to live in their homes safely with replacing stairs with ramps or stairlifts. Ill also support non-profit organizations who are doing important work like Meals on Wheels. Independent Living Accommodations need to grow to meet demand for this housing type that allows for ageing in place. C. Vanthuyne Its important to me that our Seniors get to maintain their quality of life as long as possible. I will work collaboratively with NWTHC to develop a Seniors Specific home renovation and financing home equity program that will allow seniors to live longer in their own homes putting less burden on the need for more independent living units and long term care living facilities. E. Castillo I would support having more affordable seniors homes in the communities reno- vatingretrofitting existing underused buildings equipped for proper access. Also I believe in partnerships with private businesses and community seniors organizations to utilize existing vacant buildings to reduce the waiting list for units. I would support local programs for caregiv- ing homecare educational preventative programs as well as wellness activities. This will ease seniors being removed from their communities to wait for accommodation in Yellowknife like Aven Manor and allow them to live and stay connected with family relatives and friends in their own communities. I believe a long-term comprehensive action plan is necessary. B. Nind Aging in place is close to my heart as I have a mother whose health has allowed her to continue to live in her home. Not only is it important for the independent senior to remain in their home adding to their well-being independence and happiness but it also saves program dollars and scarce senior care space which would otherwise have to be used. As MLA I would work closely with seniors in my constituency and local and territorial senior organizations to ensure that the GNWT promotes and supports by all common sense means aging in place. YELLOWKNIFE SOUTH B. McLeod In the next Assembly I will commit to establish a working committee to study new approaches to support aging-in-place while examining interagency and intergovern- mental cooperation in providing services to our seniors as part of a new NWT Seniors Strategy. Examples that would be included in the terms of reference include adopt smart home technologies for remotely monitoring essential systems within the home to better respond anhancing collaboration within government agencies health housing social services etc. to develop an integrated network for seniors and assisting community governments in adopting principles and best practices for providing integrative services to seniors that address safety medical and socialization needs their caregivers and their families. 3. What commitment would you make to ensure seniors living in their own homes have safe housing adequate subsidies for fuel and are provided with affordable housing options FRAME LAKE YELLOWKNIFE R. Erasmus I would support assisted living strategies and maintaining services to se- niors. I believe these are very important issues and the programs currently offered to se- niors needs to be improved. Im hearing that wait times are too long and some programs are difficult to access. K. OReilly New housing must be built to ensure energy efficiency and accessibility. Ex- isting housing stock should be well maintained for safety comfort and to reduce energy costs. An interesting option for safe independent housing might be found in the tiny home movement whereby individuals live independently in small houses that are clustered in a community that can efficiently provide centralized services such as meals housekeeping and laundry. Such close communities could also help prevent elder abuse. Fuel subsidies must apply equally to heating using biomass. Programs to shift energy from expensive non-renewable sources to more economic alternatives should be pursued. This is a paid advertisement sponsored by the NWT Seniors Society.