Government-Provincial
FREDERICTON – The New Brunswick government is significantly increasing the daily rates seniors are charged in nursing homes. Social Development Minister Sue Stultz
announced in the legislature the per diem rate will rise to $113 per day
from the current charge of $95 over the next three years.
The move triggered immediate criticism from
the Opposition Liberals and from seniors’ representatives, but Stultz
said the vast majority of people living in nursing homes have their
costs subsidized by the province.
“The people who are going to pay are only the people who can pay,” Stultz said during question period on Friday.
“We will be paying it for the people who
cannot pay. I do not really think that the (Opposition) should put any
type of negative feedback out there to the people who are in that
situation. We work very, very closely with the nursing home association
and all associations pertaining to seniors. We will continue to do that,
and we will continue to look after our seniors in New Brunswick.”
Cecile Cassista, executive director of the New
Brunswick Seniors’ Coalition, said that while 88 per cent of nursing
home residents are subsidized, roughly 800 pay their own daily charges.
She said the increase will hit them hard.
“This is only pension money we’re talking
about,” Cassista said. “At least some of them may have to apply for a
financial subsidy. Cassista said she was shocked by the surprise announcement. “They’re dropping the ball again on seniors,” she said.
“We met with the minister on April 18. She
didn’t indicate anything about this. I don’t feel this government is
transparent. I feel this is all under the table. The first increase to a maximum of $101 per
day from $95 per day will take place on July 1. The remaining increases
will come in 2013 and 2014.
Liberal critic Bertrand LeBlanc said in the legislature that the increase will hit many seniors hard.
“There are about 800 people who are going to
be surprised because they are going to get that increase when they go
into a nursing home and pay the per diem,” LeBlanc said.
“It affects a lot of people, and it will
affect them for the next three years. Something has to be done. If the
government is going to be giving care, it should.”
LeBlanc asked how much of the increase will go
to boosting hours of care seniors get in the homes. Premier David
Alward promised during the 2010 election campaign to increase the care
to 3.5 hours from the current 3.1. Stultz said that is still under study.
“We know how to look after our seniors in the province,” she told the House.“We look after them now, and we will look after them in the future. We will ensure that they are kept safe.”