Fees for residents of Yukon government long-term care homes are on the rise, but some programs and supports are being expanded for seniors and elders.

The measures, announced Tuesday, are part of the government’s ongoing response to the Putting People First report and the Aging in Place Action Plan.

Putting People First also recommends that the government shift resources away from subsidizing long-term care and toward initiatives that support aging in place.

Consequently, residents’ fees will increase from $35 per day to $40 per day as of Jan. 1.

Residents will also be given the option of paying their rent by way of a pre-authorized debit payment, with the new monthly rate of $1,217.

The Yukon’s rate for long-term care will remain one of the lowest in Canada, the government said.

The Canadian average is currently $83 per day.

The last increase in long-term care fees in the Yukon was in 2013.

Its goal is supporting seniors and elders to age in place in their own homes and communities.

In keeping with that, the Community Day Program, offered at Whistle Bend Place, will expand on April 1, 2021.

Two additional staff will be hired, increasing the daily capacity to 16 clients if it is safe to do so within current safety guidelines.

Funding will also be provided to support transportation for individuals who would otherwise be unable to attend the program.

The government will continue to invest in Shine a Light on Dementia. That program provides education and training for caregivers of people with dementia.

The program will be offered online, in both French and English, on an ongoing basis.

Continuing care staff will also begin offering the in-person Dementia 101 information program when permitted as per COVID-19 safety precautions.

Beginning in April 2021, a new rural end-of-life support program will provide direct funding to Yukoners in the communities who have a progressive, life-limiting illness and are at end of life.

Up to $10,000 per individual will be available, which can be used to hire local caregivers to provide needed personal supports in their own home.

The government is working with Yukon First Nations to develop a Yukon-specific Indigenous cultural safety and humility training program. It will be made available to all department and Yukon Hospital Corp. employees.

Work has also begun on a program that will provide more opportunities for Indigenous residents of long-term care homes to participate in programming that honours and celebrates First Nations history, culture and traditional practices.

“We are working to ensure that the resources of our health and social system remain focused on providing Yukoners with the supports they need to live independent lives in their own home and community for as long as possible,” said Health and Social Services Minister Pauline Frost.

“These initiatives all address recommendations made in Putting People First and the Aging in Place Action Plan, as well as three of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Calls to Action,” she added.

“This work will also help us build a health and social system and that is culturally safe and responsive to the needs of Indigenous people.”