Mr. Speaker, today I want to pick up the ball on advocacy that was ongoing in the last two assemblies around reestablishing an adult day program for seniors with dementia. Many seniors at some stage of Alzheimer's or dementia want to continue living at home supported by a partner or family members, and we should be respectful of our elders' wishes. It also makes economic sense to support families to continue caring for their loved ones at home. It costs the territory much more to move elders into a long-term care facility. But many of us know firsthand how hard it is to care for a family member with dementia. I know of a woman who could not leave her husband alone even for a short time as he gets lost even in their own home. A senior with dementia may be physically capable but need constant supervision in case they start operating an appliance or a vehicle in an unsafe way because they're confused. Constant supervision and reminders are exhausting. Caregivers need real respite, and a few hours a week of home care cannot give them that.
Now up until 2016, Avens here in Yellowknife operated an adult day program. It was a supervised program that seniors with dementia could attend in a group setting, and it opened up freedom for the spouse or caregiver to be able to leave the house and do errands, socialize with friends, or simply put their feet up in their own home and have a cup of tea. When that program closed, the health authority attempted unsuccessfully through an RFP process to have another third party operate the adult day program. While organizations such as the Yellowknife Seniors' Society have been working and advocating to find a way for the program to resume, the budget that was laid out in the RFP was totally unrealistic compared to the actual costs of safely running the program. But perhaps now there is a new opportunity to make this work.
The health authority has just opened up a brand new long-term care facility in the Liwego'ati Building with trained staff, including recreation therapists running day programs for the residents. Now, could day programs be opened up to drop-in clients as well to allow seniors living at home to join the programs? Even just a few times per week. That could be a huge help for the caregivers and families who are struggling to manage at home. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member from Yellowknife North. Members' statements. Member from Range Lake.
