Increases to government grants for seniors will cut costs for Innisfail taxpayers and allow for a higher level of service for patrons at Autumn Glen Lodge this year.
The government of Alberta announced it would be increasing the Lodge Assistance Program grant by $0.50 to $8.75, and the Special Services grant by $0.20 to $3.70 per diem.
In order to keep the rent down for seniors with low incomes the government subsidizes the lodge for those who make less then $27,880 annually.
The lodge uses these government grants to provide the necessary level of care for patrons.
Any deficit from operating costs of the lodge after the inclusion of the grant payments is paid for by taxpayers of the Town of Innisfail, the amount of which will be decreased by the increase in grant money, said Karen Marshall, manager of Autumn Glen Lodge.
"The money will help the Parkland Foundation and the municipalities because it will help to reduce the deficit," said Marshall.
Marshall said that the grants don't go up that often, only every few years so they were happy to hear they would be getting more money.
The Lodge Assistance Program grant goes towards basic care costs for patrons but the Special Services grant is for things the lodge offers above and beyond the normal level of care.
"When we offer services like extra laundry or meals being trayed, then the special services grant goes towards doing that."
Although the grant increases do not affect the bottom line for seniors it will mean a continued high level of care for those at Autumn Glen.
"We would be providing the same level of care no matter what, it just means the municipality will have less to pay," said Marshall.
Autumn Glen Lodge is a level two supportive care facility that provides prepared meals and light housekeeping for patrons.
There are currently 62 seniors living in Autumn Glen, about a third of who fall below the $27, 880 annual income line and qualify for the government grants.
The new rates for the grants became effective for the lodge on February 1.
