The federal Liberal government has lifted millions of older adults out of poverty through income supports, says Sudbury federal Liberal candidate Viviane Lapointe, but there is more work to do to improve housing and dementia supports.
Lapointe praised the Liberal plan to double the Home Accessibility Tax Credit to provide an additional $1,500 to help older adults stay in their homes longer, as well as the new Canada Caregiver Credit, which provides a tax reduction of up to $1,071 for expenses for the care of dependent relatives.
The Liberals also announced a permanent increase in the Guaranteed Income Supplement of $500 for seniors aged 65 and older, and $750 for senior couples.
The introduction of a multi-generational Home Renovation tax credit gets full marks from Lapointe. The credit will support families looking to add a secondary unit to their homes to allow a family member to live with them.
“My mother came to live with me in my home after she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s,” she said in a press release.
“I know from personal experience how much this will help families who want to care for their loved ones in their own homes.”
This government also created Canada’s first National Dementia Strategy, backed by a $50 million investment.
“We invested a further $20 million to assist community organizations supporting seniors living with dementia and $31.6 million in research,” Lapointe said. “These investments will enhance the quality of life for seniors living with dementia and ensure that their caregivers — who are predominantly women — have access to the resources they need, including mental health supports.”
The press release said that in addition, a Liberal government will:
- Invest an additional $6 billion in home care and community care, as well as
- palliative care services. Through Budget 2021, the Liberal government is investing $29.8 million to advance Canada’s palliative care strategy.
- Invest $5 billion to improve access to mental health and addiction services.
- Create opportunities for seniors to be more connected, supported, and active members of their communities by investing an additional $20 million a year in the New Horizons for Seniors Program.
“Seniors want to live in their own homes and actively participate in the community where they live,” said Lapointe. “It’s important for us to support them so they can do just that.”
