P.E.I. announces funding to improve services in private long-term care homes

Prince Edward Island's provincial flag flies on a flag pole in Ottawa on July 3, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

The Prince Edward Island government announced the province will enter into a one-year funding agreement to enhance allied health services for residents at private long-term care homes.

The P.E.I. government entered into the Canada-Prince Edward Island Aging with Dignity Funding Agreement in March 2024. The province has committed $800,000 from that agreement to the pilot project which aims to improve the quality of life for residents and create better alignment between public and private long-term care homes.

“Allied health services play an important role when it comes to providing quality care, often resulting in better health outcomes for residents who receive therapeutic interventions,” said Mark McLane, the minister of health and wellness, in a news release from the province. “This funding agreement is a positive step towards improving access to allied health providers in private long-term care homes across PEI.”

Private long-term care operators identified the need for registered dieticians, occupational therapists and physiotherapists.

The provincial government and Holland College recently partnered with two private long-term care homes to give occupational therapy and physiotherapy students the opportunity to fill these gaps and provide rehabilitation care to residents.

“The Nursing Home Association of Prince Edward Island (NHAPEI) is encouraged by the funding recently secured from the Government of PEI for the purpose of attaining Allied Health Services within our ten long-term care homes,” said Darlene Oakes, executive director, NHAPEI. “Residents, families, and staff have expressed the value of having all health-care workers contributing to care plans and care provision.”

In P.E.I., there are currently 1,302 beds, with 604 in nine publicly owned facilities and 698 in ten privately owned facilities.

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