The Federal Minister of Seniors, Filomena Tassi, toured the N'Swakamok Native Friendship Centre in Sudbury Wednesday.
She says she gained some valuable insight into the needs of Indigenous seniors and learned what kind of help they need to continue living at home.
Tony Tyson runs the Life Long Care Program at the centre that offers support to elders living at home.
“We have transportation for them, to go to medical appointments, doctor's appointments, shopping, banking.” said Tyson.
He says right now, the program is not funded to offer homecare or housekeeping that could help keep more Indigenous seniors out of nursing homes.
“Even cooking meals for them, freeze them.” said Tyson.
He talked to Tassi and local MPs about the needs of elders to continue living at home.
“The Prime Minister has asked me to travel across the country and to listen to seniors, organizations that work with seniors and family members of seniors, so that we as a government can build on what we have done for seniors thus far.” said Tassi.
“Certainly, we are looking at what programs can be improved, to make sure that the program that we have have the right capacity and the right mix of resources.” said Sudbury MP Paul Lefebvre.
“The services that are being provided here are much needed. Seniors, when we talk about the needs for seniors, talking about traveling when you are looking at health, traditional medicine, the elders.” said Marc Serre, Nickel Belt MP.
Currently, N'Swakamok is helping 80 elders.
With a growing aging population it's seeing an increased demand for the services of the Life Long Care Program.
