By: Winnipeg Tribune Staff Writer
Winnipeg, APril 18, 2024 - Manitoba's Health, Seniors, and Long-Term Care Minister, Uzoma Asagwara, has unveiled the Safe and Healthy Home for Seniors Program, a $1.5 million initiative aimed at assisting eligible seniors with the cost of home accessibility and safety upgrades.
Seniors aged 65 and older, as well as family members with seniors residing with them, can apply for funding of up to $5,000 ($6,500 in rural and remote areas) to finance essential home adaptations for daily living. Applicants may re-apply for a grant every three years, up to a lifetime maximum of $15,000. To qualify, applicants must have a combined household income of $60,000 or less.
The funding can be utilized for crucial accessibility solutions, including adaptations to enhance safety like grab bars, bathtub safety rails, and improved lighting. Additionally, it can cover accessibility improvements for daily activities, such as zero-threshold showers and widened doorways.
Administered by March of Dimes Canada, a national charity committed to promoting equity and empowering ability, the program aims to transform lives through home adaptations.
"March of Dimes Canada has a demonstrated history of positively impacting lives through home modifications," remarked Jason Lye, Vice President of Community Support Services at March of Dimes Canada. "Even the simplest home alterations can be life-altering, enabling individuals to live safely and independently at home. We are eager to assist Manitoba seniors in achieving just that."
For further information on the Safe and Healthy Home for Seniors Program, including application details, visit www.gov.mb.ca/seniors/index.html.