Coalition for SENIORS AND NURSING HOME RESIDENTS ’RIGHTS
November 22, 2013
Annual General Meeting
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Aging in Place
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Pillars
For
Change
A
In 2012, the Coalition released a Vision for Change: Aging in Place
document- a copy of which can be found at http://www.coalitionnb.blogspot.ca/
This document reflects those pillars that the Coalition continues to
address for aging in place in New Brunswick.
Ø
Ombudsman
Jurisdiction - Better Protection for Seniors
Public Home Care
New Brunswick is one of the provinces in Canada where Home Support Workers are paid the least and yet many cannot get enough work hours to earn a decent living. These workers are a huge part of the services for the elderly, as they enable seniors to live at home rather than in a health care institution. Without adequate working conditions, there tends to be a high turnover of this support. This has a high impact on the care that is required for those that need the service.
Many elderly, who have been treated in hospital, continue to occupy
acute-care hospital beds even though they should be cared for, with proper
support, in their home and in the community. It would be more economical to increase
more services in-home as opposed to having seniors using acute hospital beds.
The New Brunswick’s Extra Mural-Mural program provides in-home health
care to individuals of all ages. The program is comprehensive with a public
service delivery accessible for everyone who needs the service. Therefore it is
important to incorporate home support workers under the umbrella of the
Regional Health Authorities so that public services are provided for continuity
and efficiency. A key element in developing a home care program is to set standards with provisions of core services based on public delivery accessible for all who requires the service. Best practise with standards of delivery are the federal programs that assist veterans to remain in their own homes and communities with the emphasis on independent living.
Home support workers and home care go hand in hand where programs should include professional services such as nursing, occupational therapy and social work; personal care services to assist in the delivery of daily living.
Recommendation:
The Coalition calls
upon the government to incorporate home support workers under the umbrella of
the Regional Health Authorities.
Coalition for Seniors and Nursing Home Residents’ Rights Pillars for Change – November 22, 2013 http://www.coalitionnb.blogspot.ca/
Assets - Nursing
Care Fees
In 2006, nursing home daily fees were changed
to $70 per day with the removal of assets. Since then the fees have increased
steadily from $101 in July 1, 2012, to $107 as of April 2013. In April 2014,
the fee will increase again to $113 per day.A resident of a nursing home retains 108 per month from their income for personal needs; this amount was last increased in 2007 from $88 to $108.
Recommendation:
a)
That the government establish a Long-Term Care
Act that would house all policies affecting seniors.
b)
That the government ensure that assets of seniors
not be included in the calculation upon entering a nursing Care facility or receiving services at home.
c)
That
the daily fees be comparable with other provinces.
Ombudsman Jurisdiction – Better
Protection for Seniors
Seniors
are a very vulnerable population, who deserve to have a voice, particularly in
these financially difficult times. There are Eight (8) Provinces that
have the jurisdiction to investigate long-term care and nursing care
facilities. New Brunswick has fallen behind in the oversight of investigating
issues of concern to seniors and those living in nursing care facilities.
The
oversight of the Ombudsman to investigate without reprisals for seniors and
long-term care facilities is a critical piece of caring for the elderly.
Recommendation:
That the
oversight to investigate long-term care facilities be the responsibility of the
office of the Ombudsman with sufficient resources.
Coalition for Seniors and Nursing Home Residents’ Rights Pillars for Change– November 22, 2013
http://www.coalitionnb.blogspot.ca/
Special Care Homes
There are approximately 430
privately operated special care homes in the province that could take the pressure off the
health care system if they were required to provide Registered nurses and
Licensed Practical nurses on duty. Currently, the wait list for nursing care beds
is 702 with 453 in acute hospital beds.
The government
subsidized daily rate for a special care home is up to $75.50 per day. Residents
retain $135 per month for personal needs.
Recommendation:
a)
That all operators of Special Care Homes be
required to have at least one primary staff member that must be a registered nurse.
b)
That a licensed Practical nurse (LPN) be on
duty for shifts when a registered nurse is not available.
c)
That the staff ratio be set out in accordance
with the New Brunswick Standards and Procedures for Adult Residential
Facilities. (May 29, 2012.)
d)
That an assessment process be done within
thirty days of the request.
Coalition for Seniors and Nursing
Home Residents’ Rights Pillars for
Change - November 22, 2013
http://www.coalitionnb.blogspot.ca/