Filomena Tassi, the Minister of Seniors, heard quite a few concerns seniors have while she toured North Bay.
“Of concern in this area is isolation, it’s definitely one of the top priorities,” Tassi told local media after she met with stakeholders on Wednesday.
Tassi is on a tour of Northern Ontario getting input from seniors, family members and groups as the federal government improves existing programs.
“We want to ensure seniors get the appropriate level of care that they need,” Tassi said.
“So if they don’t need to be in a hospital, we don’t want them in hospitals.”
Tassi says her portfolio crosses all levels of government so a collaborative approach is needed.
As an example, she cites healthcare which is a provincial responsibility but the feds have earmarked $6 billion for home care and palliative care.
“The provinces determine how best the money is rolled out,” Tassi said.
“We really believe in a supportive-collaborative relationship where the investment benefits the seniors best as we move forward.”
Tassi is encouraging stakeholders to apply for funding from a $40-billion National Housing Strategy the federal government has embarked upon.
She says the strategy helps ensure seniors get the care and accommodations they need.
While meeting with stakeholders Tassi also toured the newly opened The Village at Canadore College.
She calls what Canadore has done brilliant by creating an intergenerational connection between seniors and young people.
“This allows the youth to recognize the amazing contribution, wisdom, insights and sense of humour that seniors have,” she said”.
“It’s a model absolutely for the country.”
Tassi also met with Dolly Gibb, Canada’s oldest living person who lives at Casselholme.
Gibb is 113.
Both Tassi and Nipissing-Timiskaming MP Anthony Rota talked with Gibb for a few minutes asking her about some past history.
Afterward, Tassi asked Gibb’s daughter Sue who lives with her mother at Casselholme the secret of their longevity and the response from the daughter was “no chemicals”.