NS Commitment to Seniors Care

OPEN LETTER

Nova Scotians deserve to know they will have the level of care they need as they age, and they will.

When the care needed is around the clock, no one is more committed to the well-being of our loved ones than the people who work in our long-term care facilities.

I know this because I had a long career in continuing care, and I am proud to have worked shoulder to shoulder with these dedicated and compassionate women and men.

That's why today, on this Day of Action for Support Workers in Long-Term Care, I want to say how deeply grateful Premier Houston and I are for everything you do to support Nova Scotians living in long-term care facilities.

It takes an entire team of workers to provide exceptional care. We know care is more than what is provided by doctors, nurses and continuing care assistants.

Care includes making sure linens and buildings are clean; nutritious food is prepared, delivered and served; and activities are designed and delivered to ensure residents are engaged mentally and physically. It is making sure buildings operate properly, repairs are made as required and administrative functions are carried out.

All of this important work is done by housekeepers, laundry workers, food-service workers, cooks, maintenance teams, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, recreation teams, administration teams and so many other hard-working people.

We see the contributions you have made to protect vulnerable Nova Scotians from COVID-19 and for years before the pandemic.

You have earned our highest level of respect.

I know from working alongside you that you face many challenges in the work you do.

This government believes in open and fair collective bargaining. The place to discuss terms and conditions of employment, including wages, is at the bargaining table.

This government has made a serious commitment to improve healthcare, and this includes long-term care. This year alone, we have increased the budget for the Department of Seniors and Long-Term Care by $142 million. We are investing in recruitment, training, workplace safety, higher levels of care for our loved ones and so much more.

We are ready to try new ideas and work with you to find solutions to the challenges we face.

Thank you for everything you do.

Barbara Adams, Minister 

Seniors and Long-Term Care

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