Our Conversation With Our MLAs
On Thursday, September 12, 2024, we held an event as part of our Active Aging Series called A Conversation With Community Leaders. We were joined by City Councillor Andrew Knack, MLA Brooks Arcand Paul, MLA Lorne Dach, and WSAC Executive Director Dr. Haidong Liang, who shared some fantastic information with our members.
During his presentation, MLA Lorne Dach educated us on some of the programs created by the Government of Alberta to help us age in place.
Seniors Home Adaptation and Repair Program (SHARP) – What is it?
- Low-interest home equity loans can cover a range of home adaptations and renovations to help seniors stay in their homes longer. This can cover repairs, adaptations, and renovations to their primary residence.
- Provides a maximum loan of up to $40,000 to Alberta seniors/senior couples with a total annual income of $75,000 or less, and a minimum of 25% home equity in your primary residence where the work is to be completed
- You can apply for retroactive funding, within 12 months, with receipts
- You do not need to make monthly repayments
- Your annual income needs to be $75,000 or less
Residential Access Modification Program (RAMP) – What is it?
- Low-income Albertans with mobility challenges can apply for grants to modify their home. For those who:
- use a wheelchair or a 4-wheel walker, or
- are living with a progressive neurodegenerative disease
- You can apply for a RAMP grant for:
- up to $7,500 per person each benefit year (April 1 to March 31);
- up to $15,000 per person within 10 years
- Modifications are approved and funded for those awaiting hospital discharge or in palliative care first and then all other applications on a first-come-first-serve basis
Seniors Property Tax Deferral Program – What is it?
- allows eligible senior homeowners to voluntarily defer all or part of their residential property taxes, including the education tax portion.
- This is done through a low-interest home equity loan with the Government of Alberta.
- The current interest rate is 7.20%. It is reviewed and may be adjusted, every 6 months in April and October
- Eligibility is NOT based on your income
- Open to seniors 65 years of age, or older (only one spouse/partner needs to be at least 65)
- You must have a minimum of 25% equity in your home
- Apply any time of the year but it must be at least 30 days before the municipal property tax deadline (June 30th)
Homecare
Assists people to remain well, safe, and independent in their home for as long as possible. Home and community care provides help with activities of daily living that someone can’t do themselves or can’t get help with from another source; these are often activities that are considered necessary for the client to safely maintain their independence, like personal hygiene or medication management.
Self-Managed Care
Is an alternative to homecare which provides resources to directly pay for and manage personal care and home care support services. Self Managed Care can support those who have unmet healthcare needs within AHS Provincial Home Care Services Guidelines. Supports ongoing personal care and home care services such as longer-term needs, these services include personal care, home support services and respite care.
Download their brochure here:
https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/assets/info/seniors/if-sen-self-managed-care-brochure.pdf
Edmonton Residential Aide Placement Services (ERAPS)
This is not a Government of Alberta program but Lorne mentioned it to attendees because if someone is using self-managed care it’s a good resource.
- Edmonton Residential Aide Placement Services (ERAPS) is a non-profit community care agency that successfully matches healthcare aides and support workers with residential employers in need of support services.
- Handles recruitment and referral services for health care aide and support worker placements.
- Provides comprehensive payroll services including, T4s, ROEs, and filings systems. They provide advocacy and support for employers with disabilities.
