New funding for supportive housing services

News — 04 January 2011

Local officials with Patricia Region Senior Services say new funding will help ease wait times for seniors awaiting supportive housing services in Dryden.

On Dec. 22, the North West Local Health Integration Network (LHIN) announced $60,000 in additional base funding in Dryden, part of a $420,000 supportive housing package divided between Dryden, Kenora and Rainy-River.

An ‘aging in place’ strategy, supportive housing allows seniors to lead healthy, independent lives in the comfort and dignity of their own homes. Delivered by trained personal support workers, supportive housing assists with light homemaking, medication reminders, meal preparation and other services that assist with independent living.

The North West LHIN says the new annual funding provides supports for five individuals in Dryden.

Patricia Region Senior Services Administrator Olga Sampara says the funds will allow Patricia Gardens to service a larger client base.

“It permits us to deliver more service hours into the community,” said Sampara. “We can actually take on people who are on the waiting list.”

With nearly 10 individuals over the age of 90 currently occupying Patricia Gardens, program coordinator Penney Bradley says that slow turnover in recent years can mean waiting list delays ranging from six months to five years depending on the level of service required.

“The wait list is roughly 35 people, including couples as well,” said Bradley. “It’ll take some of the pressure off.”

Sampara says Dryden’s Age Friendly Network played an important role in identifying a need and lobbying for additional supportive housing resources.

“As part of the Age Friendly Network, we identified that supportive housing was critical to the senior population here in Dryden,” said Sampara. “We worked with that group and the LHINs until we had realized the funding.”

After a hosting a successful Learning Series in 2010, The Dryden Age Friendly Network is gearing up for more events of interest to local seniors beginning later this month.

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About Author

chrismarchand

Chris Marchand is a native of Dryden, Ontario. He served his first newspaper internship at The Dryden Observer in 1998 while attending journalism studies at Thompson Rivers University in Kamloops B.C. He's worked desks as both reporter and editor at the Fernie Free Press as well as filled the role of sports editor at the Cranbrook Daily Townsman. Marchand was named editor of the Dryden Observer in Aug. 2009.