Business Plan 2012-15

Seniors

ACCOUNTABILITY STATEMENT

This business plan was prepared under my direction, taking into consideration the government’s policy decisions as of January 19, 2012.

original signed by

George VanderBurg, Minister
January 22, 2012

THE MINISTRY

The ministry consists of the Department of Seniors and the Persons with Developmental Disabilities (PDD) Community Boards, which are agents of the Crown as established by the Persons with Developmental Disabilities Community Governance Act. The department provides administrative, planning and research support to the Seniors Advisory Council for Alberta and the Premier’s Council on the Status of Persons with Disabilities.

Seniors’ mission is to work with individuals, families, communities and other government partners to support the well-being and independence of seniors and persons with disabilities through programs, services, safeguards and information. Its core businesses are to provide targeted financial assistance to seniors and persons with disabilities in need and to plan, provide and coordinate necessary supports and services for living in the community.

A more detailed description of Seniors and its programs and initiatives can be found at www.seniors.alberta.ca.

This business plan is aligned with the government’s goals and supports the government’s core businesses as set out in the Government of Alberta Strategic Plan.

GOALS, PRIORITY INITIATIVES AND PERFORMANCE MEASURES

As a result of the ministry’s review of its goals, environment, opportunities and challenges, a number of priority initiatives have been identified. Minister’s mandate items are identified with a Minister's Mandate mark.

Goal One:

Seniors and persons with disabilities have access to supports that assist them to be independent and participate in their communities

Being independent means being able to direct and live one’s life while maintaining important relationships with family, friends and the community. Age, disability or financial circumstances may diminish Albertans’ ability to be independent and participate, but individuals, families, governments and concerned community organizations can all make a difference in their lives. In support of this goal, the ministry provides financial assistance and health-related supports, and funds community-based services. Supplemental financial assistance for low-income seniors in need is available through the Alberta Seniors Benefit and Special Needs Assistance for Seniors programs. Eligible senior homeowners also receive assistance to offset increases to the education portion of their property taxes. Adult Albertans with a severe and permanent disability may receive a monthly living allowance, health-related benefits and personal benefits through the Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH) program. The ministry also helps Albertans maintain their well-being and independence through a variety of health-related supports, including the Alberta Aids to Daily Living (AADL) program and assisting eligible seniors with the costs of optical and dental services. The Persons with Developmental Disabilities (PDD) program and other community-based supports and services encourage the independence and community involvement of Albertans with developmental disabilities.

Priority Initiatives:

Minister's Mandate mark
1.1
Design a plan to develop and implement increases to the monthly living allowance and the employment income exemptions for clients of the Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped program.
1.2
Implement measures to enhance wages for community-based agency staff who work with individuals with disabilities.
1.3
Develop a property tax deferral program to assist seniors with the rising costs of home ownership.
1.4
Implement improvements to the PDD program to improve outcomes, increase effectiveness and efficiency, and ensure the program’s long-term sustainability.
1.5
Lead the implementation of the Aging Population Policy Framework to help government and community organizations make sound decisions on programs and services for seniors.
1.6
Collaborate with government partners to improve service coordination for individuals with complex service needs and promote safety for frontline workers. (Individuals with complex service needs may have multiple disabilities or additional barriers such as mental health issues or addictions.)
1.7
Collaborate with Health and Wellness to establish a seniors advocacy component within the Office of the Health Advocate.
1.8
Collaborate with government partners in the Alberta Supports initiative to improve how social-based assistance programs are delivered to Albertans.
Performance Measures Last Actual
Year		 Target
2012-13		 Target
2013-14		 Target
2014-15
1.a Percentage by which seniors’ average income in Alberta exceeds the Canadian average +18.5% (2009)

Exceed the national average
1.b Percentage of AISH clients who agree that personal benefits help them live more independently than if they were unable to access these benefits 72%
(2010-11)		 76% 77% 78%
1.c Satisfaction of families/guardians of adults with developmental disabilities with PDD-funded services (biennial survey) 85%
(2010-11)		 87% n/a 88%
1.d Percentage of AADL clients who agreed that AADL helped them be more independent in their homes or residences (biennial survey) 88%
(2009-10)		 n/a 90% n/a

Goal Two:

Safeguards for vulnerable adults improve safety and well-being

Adult Albertans may be vulnerable due to a number of factors including age, health status or disability. The ministry works with government and community partners in developing collaborative approaches to preventing and addressing elder abuse in Alberta. The ministry works to ensure Albertans are aware of all forms of elder abuse, including financial abuse, and have tools to identify it, know how to prevent it, and where to go for assistance. The ministry addresses allegations of abuse of individuals receiving government funded care or support services through the Protection for Persons in Care Act. The Office of the Public Guardian provides services related to the Personal Directives Act and the Adult Guardianship and Trusteeship Act, which include encouraging Albertans to plan for the future using personal directives, acting as guardian of last resort, and providing safeguards for adult Albertans who require decision-making support.

Priority Initiatives:

2.1
Lead the implementation of the province’s Elder Abuse Strategy to focus efforts on awareness and prevention of elder abuse.
2.2
Implement new provisions under the Protection for Persons in Care Act to improve safeguards for Albertans receiving government funded care or support services.
2.3
Encourage Albertans to plan for a time when they may need help with decisions by promoting the use of supported decision-making authorizations and personal directives.
2.4
Develop and implement a “Promoting Brain Health” initiative to raise Albertan’s awareness about proactive approaches to brain health and the prevention of cognitive decline.
Performance Measure Last Actual
2009-10		 Target
2012-13		 Target
2013-14		 Target
2014-15
2.a Satisfaction with supports and decision making services provided by the Office of the Public Guardian of:  
• Private guardians 98% n/a 95% n/a
• Service providers
(biennial survey)		 94% n/a 95% n/a

Goal Three:

Seniors and persons with disabilities have safe, affordable and accessible supportive living options

Appropriate accommodations help seniors age in the right place and offer affordable, accessible accommodation choices for Albertans with disabilities. The ministry provides capital grants to help develop and upgrade supportive living accommodation options in communities across Alberta, providing choices for individuals so that they can live as independently as possible. This work involves partnering with Health and Wellness, Infrastructure, Municipal Affairs and Alberta Health Services to increase the availability of quality continuing care options. To enhance safety and quality of life for residents, the ministry also monitors and enforces accommodation standards in supportive living and long-term care settings. Public reporting of facilities’ compliance with accommodation standards helps Albertans to make informed choices about continuing care accommodations.

Priority Initiatives:

Minister's Mandate mark
3.1
Together with the Minister of Health and Wellness, design a plan to develop and implement Continuing Care Centres.
3.2
Implement improvements to the Seniors Lodge Program.

3.3
Provide capital grants to help develop additional affordable and accessible supportive living units for seniors and persons with disabilities to live in their communities.
Performance Measure Last Actual
2010-11		 Target
2012-13		 Target
2013-14		 Target
2014-15
3.a Quality of accommodation services provided in supportive living and long-term care facilities, as indicated by the percentage of facilities reviewed that meet provincial standards:
• Group Homes 82% 85% 87% 88%
• Assisted Living 86% 88% 90% 91%
• Lodges 82% 86% 88% 90%
• Long-term Care 70% 74% 76% 78%

STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

Consolidated on a Fiscal Plan Basis

(thousands of dollars) Comparable
2010-11
Actual		 2011-12
Budget		 2011-12
Forecast		 2012-13
Estimate		 2013-14
Target		 2014-15
Target
REVENUE
Transfers from Government of Canada 19,695 17,800 17,800 18,100 18,400 18,700
Investment Income 41 - - - - -
Premiums, Fees and Licences 1,168 1,000 1,200 1,150 1,150 1,150
Other Revenue 9,281 1,467 11,667 3,485 3,559 3,687
Total Revenue 30,185 20,267 30,667 22,735 23,109 23,537
EXPENSE
Program
Ministry Support Services 12,182 11,445 11,445 13,237 13,527 14,244
Seniors Lodge Assistance and Supportive Living 38,295 40,643 47,305 41,786 41,864 42,081
Affordable Supportive Living Initiative 89,147 75,000 74,000 25,000 25,000 25,000
Support for Seniors Programs 2,742 3,129 3,129 4,221 4,311 4,576
Alberta Seniors Benefit 316,146 329,113 329,113 350,900 367,540 382,995
Seniors Dental and Optical Assistance 66,730 69,628 69,628 84,606 89,965 95,146
Special Needs Assistance and Project Grants for Seniors 22,798 21,557 21,557 28,485 29,182 30,762
School Property Tax Assistance 12,327 15,160 15,160 20,165 26,665 26,671
Seniors Property Tax Deferral - - - 1,623 671 719
Disability Support Programs 17,083 17,630 17,930 19,741 20,874 22,101
Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped 751,058 777,754 785,254 1,056,055 1,111,243 1,167,657
Alberta Aids to Daily Living 117,030 122,969 122,969 135,250 143,287 152,303
Community Support Programs 2,312 3,733 3,233 3,868 3,897 4,035
Support to Persons with Developmental Disabilities 590,430 608,073 629,473 663,955 716,893 752,135
Public Guardian Services 9,673 10,640 10,640 11,758 11,990 12,558
Total Expense 2,047,953 2,106,474 2,140,836 2,460,650 2,606,909 2,732,983
Gain (Loss) on Disposal of Capital Assets (217) - - - - -
Net Operating Result (2,017,985) (2,086,207) (2,110,169) (2,437,915) (2,583,800) (2,709,446)
CAPITAL INVESTMENT BY PROGRAM
Ministry Support Services 398 - - - - -
Alberta Seniors Benefit - 160 160 160 160 160
Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped 33 - - - - -
Support to Persons with Developmental Disabilities 502 640 640 640 640 640
Public Guardian Services 50 - - - - -
Total 983 800 800 800 800 800

 

Contact Information:

Additional copies may be obtained from:
Alberta Seniors
Communications
3rd Floor, Standard Life Centre
10405-Jasper Ave
Edmonton, Alberta T5J 4R7

Telephone: 780-415-9950
Fax: 780-644-1227
Website: www.seniors.alberta.ca

ISBN: 978-0-7785-9824-4 (html)