Seniors are a valued part of our communities. We need to enable seniors to age in place with dignity.

This work will be led by the Department of Health and Social Services, the Department of Education, Culture and Employment, and the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation.

What we will do

1. Increase supports for seniors to stay in their homes and communities

2. Fund actions that enhance inclusion, safety and removal of community level barriers to aging in place

3. Help protect seniors from abuse or neglect

How we will do it

1.a. Work with Indigenous governments, community governments, support agencies, and families to identify gaps in existing resources

1.b. Amend NWTHC policies to allow more low income seniors access to housing supports

1.c. Increase the Seniors Home Heating Subsidy and review and reduce potential barriers for seniors in accessing the subsidy

1.d. Create a separate income assistance program tailored to seniors and persons with disabilities.

2.a. Establish an Age Friendly Community Grant program that would enable seniors to remain in their home community longer

3.a. Review and implement regulatory and service delivery changes required to protect seniors.

3.b. In collaboration with stakeholders, launch a public awareness campaign focused on educating Seniors on their rights

3.c. Increase training to GNWT staff providing programs and services to identify signs of abuse

How we will demonstrate progress

1.a. Gaps identified (Summer 2021)

1.b. 10% more seniors have access to housing programs (starting Summer 2021)

1.c. Seniors Home Heating Subsidy review completed and increased funding and criteria implemented (Spring 2022)

1.d. Program established, implemented, monitored and progress reported on (Winter 2022)

2.a. Program implemented, monitored and reviewed annually (Spring 2022)

3.a. Regulatory changes implemented (Spring 2020 – Winter 2023)

3.b. Awareness campaign launched  (Fall 2021)

3.c. Employee training provided (starting Fall 2021)