WHALEN: NDP GOVERNMENT DISAPPOINTING CARE GIVERS
Date: Wednesday September 23, 2009

(Halifax, NS) Liberal health critic Diana Whalen says too many Nova
Scotians and their loved ones are being rejected for the Caregiver
Allowance Program.

The program was introduced in August with the intention of recognizing
the role of the caregiver and the financial burden they carry when
caring for their loved ones.

“We have heard many first hand accounts of people being denied help
and very few cases are meeting the criteria of the program,” said
Whalen. “In some cases, people who are giving 24 hour care have been
turned down. In other cases, the loved one is severely
incapacitated.”

Today, the Minister of Health refused to provide the number of
applicants for the program or the number of people who have received
assistance.

“This government raised people’s expectations,” said Whalen
“Nova Scotians believed they would be given the help they need -
instead they are receiving rejection letters.”

“This government needs to be accountable by telling Nova Scotians how
many have applied and how many have received the help they need.”

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