Social Policy in Ontario

People who care for loved ones at home can share in an extra $20 million for respite care this year, Finance Minister Charles Sousa said Tuesday in advance of his spring budget.

The money will help caregivers — such as those caring for a spouse with Alzheimer’s or a child with a brain injury — hire a personal support worker or nurse so they can get out of the house for shopping, errands or a break to “lighten the load,” Sousa announced at a seniors’ centre.

“Caring for a loved one is difficult,” he added, also promising to streamline the process through which caregivers apply for tax credits.

The money will provide for an extra 1.2 million hours of respite care and is in addition to an extra $20 million pumped into the system last year, said Health Minister Eric Hoskins.

Providing care puts “incredible physical and emotional stress” on families, Hoskins told reporters.

Officials said families seeking respite care can apply to their local community care access centre.

https://www.thestar.com/news/queenspark/2017/04/25/ontario-injects-another-20-million-into-respite-care.html