Services for Seniors: Report of the Advisory Committee on Francophone Affairs to the Government of Saskatchewan

In Saskatchewan, senior services fall under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Health, and there has been a minister responsible for seniors since August 2019. This minister is responsible for key issues of interest to seniors, mental health and health in rural and remote regions. Saskatchewan’s healthcare system offers a range of health services under the Ministry of Health and the Saskatchewan Health Authority. Through the Ministry of Social Services, the government also offers a range of services and support programs for seniors. Some programs and services are offered directly by these ministries and the province’s health authority, while others are offered by third parties. The Advisory Committee recognizes the efforts of the two ministries and the Health Authority concerned with services offered to seniors and is encouraged by some projects currently in development. The recommendations in this report aim to build on what completed work has achieved and suggest strategies to improve the services offered to this growing segment of the population. Recommendations 1. The Francophone Affairs Branch and concerned ministries should work together to translate and update documentation about programs and services for seniors. 2. The Government of Saskatchewan should improve the framework for its duties towards seniors in the short term by creating a central office focused on coordinating programs and services for seniors, and in the medium term by creating a ministry responsible for seniors. 3. The Ministries of Saskatchewan, especially for Health and Social Services, should conduct consultations on programs for seniors in both official languages. 4. The Ministries of Saskatchewan, especially for Health and Social Services, should expand the service offerings for seniors to enable them to remain in their own homes for as long as possible. 5. The Ministry of Health and the Saskatchewan Health Authority should implement a support policy with programs for informal caregivers. 6. The Ministry of Social Services should engage in dialogue with the Assemblée communautaire fransaskoise to survey the housing needs of the Fransaskois population. 7. The Saskatchewan Health Authority should support French-speaking health professionals by offering language training that follows the Café de Paris model and other continuing education programs.

number of pages: 12