PORT ELGIN (GNB) – The provincial government is investing $2.2 million over five years for renovations to the Westford Nursing Home in Port Elgin.

“We will work together to provide our seniors the best quality of life possible as part of our multi-year aging strategy,” said Premier Brian Gallant. “Investing in our existing nursing home infrastructure will create jobs and help improve senior care.”

The funding is part of the 2018-2023 Nursing Home Plan, which was announced on Thursday.

“The administrators and staff at the Westford Nursing Home provide wonderful care for seniors in our region,” said Memramcook-Tantramar MLA Bernard LeBlanc. “This investment will ensure this care can continue for years to come.”

LeBlanc attended for Seniors and Long-Term Care Minister Lisa Harris.

The plan also involves creating more than 1,000 new nursing home beds and memory care beds over the next five years.

The plan will be implemented in three phases. Ten new 60-bed nursing homes will be built around the province. An additional 407 beds for people living with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia will be provided in special care homes.

Tuesday’s budget contained a number of investments and strategies to benefit seniors and their caregivers, such as:

• $12 million to increase wages for special care workers and home support workers.

• $1.25 million for a pilot project to help free up acute-care beds.

• $2.1 million for a wage supplement program focused on seniors, to encourage companies to hire seniors.

• $800,000 to begin implementing the New Brunswick Aging Strategy.

• $11.3 million for a program to support informal caregivers.

• $2.1 million in additional funding for specialized beds for people with advanced dementia.

These initiatives are in addition to other programs for seniors, such as the Home First strategy, the Seniors Health, Well-Being and Home Safety Review, wellness clinics and the Age-Friendly Communities Recognition Program, as well as other investments in senior care, such as affordable housing and home care.

Fostering healthy aging and support for seniors is one of the seven priority areas outlined in the New Brunswick Family Plan framework, which also focuses government action on: improving access to primary and acute care; promoting wellness; supporting people with addictions and mental health challenges; advancing women’s equality; reducing poverty and providing support for people living with a disability.