Minister responsible for seniors Warren Kaeding spoke to seniors in Prince Albert Thursday afternoon at Plaza 88. (Michael Joel-Hansen/paNOW Staff)

By Michael Joel-Hansen

seniors' gala

P.A. seniors hear from provincial minister

Mar 5, 2020 | 5:14 PM

Prince Albert learned there will be more funding directed to health care in the province’s latest budget after attending a gala event featuring the provincial minister responsible for representing them.

Warren Kaeding, minister responsible for seniors and rural and remote healthcare, spoke to seniors Thursday afternoon at Plaza 88.

During his speech, the minister credited the P.A. Seniors Advocacy Centre and Dr. John Fryters for the advocacy work on behalf of older citizens. He also thanked them for organizing events.

“You are a small but mighty team,” he said.

Talking about the upcoming provincial budget, Kaeding said seniors could expect an increase in health care funding.

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“We’re going to see a significant increase in the health budget, generally 50 per cent of our health budget does pertain to seniors,” he said, speaking to paNOW after his speech.

Specifically, Kaeding said those increases would include further funding for mental health and addictions.

He said amidst many talks with seniors across the province, there is a common issue they face — loneliness.

“The one thing that’s coming to mind is seniors in isolation and seniors alone and honestly dealing with the mental health of seniors,” he said.

A good sized crowd came out for the gala. (Michael Joel-Hansen/paNOW Staff)

New initiative to help local seniors announced

Beyond mental health, John Fryters spoke to the crowd about a troubling increase in senior abuse, which a new program the centre created hopes to address.

“Unfortunately, there has been and is very little number of local resources within our community to effectively deal with these cases,” he said.

The program was created with support from the Northern Lights Community Development Fund and the P.A. and Area Community Foundation.

Fryters explained the new program, which will be called the Prince Albert and Area Seniors Abuse Program (PAASAP) will be ready to start taking referrals in the coming weeks. Cases will be dealt with by a seniors abuse specialist.

Currently Fryters said the centre is looking for seniors willing to volunteer to be trained so they can help those facing abuse. The centre will work from there.

“We will start on a totally volunteer basis and a fundraising campaign will start immediately,” he said.

John Fyters annouced the senior’s advocacy centre’s newest initiative Thursday. (Michael Joel-Hansen/paNOW Staff)

MichaelJoel.Hansen@jpbg.ca

On Twitter:@mjhskcdn