Private long-term and community care homes can now access funding to help keep residents cool throughout the year.
The provincial and federal government announced Thursday that a $3.9 million program is now open to help facilities purchase and install cooling equipment like heat pumps, fans or other devices.
It can be extremely hot. Humidity is a huge factor, so they’re extremely happy with this announcement.- Health Minister Cory Deagle
Health Minister Cory Deagle made the announcement at the legislature, saying it’s “extremely good news” for residents, families and staff at the homes.
“It’ll be nice for families to know that their loved ones in long-term care, community care, are being treated as they should,” he said outside the legislative chamber, “and that they have the cooling in place that when we have these heat waves in the summer that everyone can be comfortable.”
Health Minister Cory Deagle added that the heat in some homes has been hard on residents and staff. (Rick Gibbs/CBC)
Under the new program, facilities can apply for up to $2,000 per bed in their homes. Deagle said there’s cooling equipment in place in all public long-term care facilities, and the hope is most of the equipment can be in place in these private homes before this summer.
Darlene Oakes, executive director of the Nursing Home Association of P.E.I., said in a news release that care homes will “benefit greatly” from this initiative.
“Excessive heat or cold is a major safety risk for our residents. Proper temperature regulation will add to a more pleasant environment for residents, visitors and staff. NHAPEI is very thankful for this funding from government,” Oakes said.
Deagle added that summer heat in some homes has been hard on residents and staff.
“They know it all too well. In the summer, especially in those smaller rooms, it can be extremely hot. Humidity is a huge factor, so they’re extremely happy with this announcement,” he said, adding that similar equipment installed in the public care homes has been a hit.
“A lot of positive feedback on that. Obviously our newer facilities would have been equipped with cooling, but our older facilities that weren’t, I think they’re very happy in how it’s worked and how it’s rolled out.”
Liberal MLA and health critic Gord McNeilly said on the floor of the legislature that improving air quality in care homes is important, especially for residents during scorching summer temperatures.
“Hopefully this is an announcement in the right direction. Air quality is incredibly important and we have to do everything we can in Prince Edward Island to change that,” McNeilly said.