Government Takes Important Step in Addressing Concerns of Long Term Care Residents

Government Takes Important Step in Addressing Concerns of Long Term Care Residents

TORONTO (July 31, 2002) – The Ontario government has taken an important first step in addressing the concerns of long term care residents by phasing in the announced hike in the co-payment and increasing its contribution to the operation of these facilities.

"The government has listened to residents and their family members, and has gone some way to responding to the concerns that we and others expressed on this issue," says Donna Rubin, CEO of the Ontario Association of Non-Profit Homes and Services for Seniors (OANHSS).

"It's a step in the right direction. We're encouraged by the fact that the government was willing to revisit this issue, and we'll do everything we can to work with the government in continuing to make changes that will benefit residents," Rubin adds.

The co-pay increase has now been scaled back from 15 per cent to about 7 per cent this year. That amounts to more than $1,000 in additional costs for basic accommodation which residents will be required to pay. "We fear this will still cause hardship for some," she notes.

Government is upping base operating funding to facilities by about $7 per resident per day this year. “That’s welcome news because the additional money is desperately needed. What we’d like to see now is the government continue to move towards the required $25 per diem increase that we have indicated would provide residents with a more adequate level of care,” Rubin says.

An independent review of long term care in 10 jurisdictions (three Canadian provinces, four U.S. states, and three countries in Europe) recently found that Ontario provides the least amount of nursing and personal care in long term care facilities. Conducted by PricewaterhouseCoopers, the study placed Ontario last in meeting the needs of residents. Today's announced increase in government support will not alter that ranking.

"We appreciate the additional funding, but it falls short of the $25 per diem increase that is truly needed," Rubin notes. "Without a serious commitment from this government, we will continue to fall further and further behind in caring for the seniors and frail elderly of this province."

Rubin says her organization, whose not-for-profit members operate over 25,000 long term care beds across Ontario, is relieved that there is now a recognition that significantly raising the co-payment is not the appropriate way to fund the system.

OANHSS is the provincial association representing not-for-profit providers of long term care, services and housing for seniors.

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For further information, contact:

Donna Rubin
905-851-8821 x230

or

Margaret Ringland
905-851-8821 x 244

C	ontact OANHSS

Ontario Association of Non-Profit Homes & Services for Seniors
7050 Weston Road, Suite 700, Woodbridge, Ontario L4L 8G7
(P) 905-851-8821
(F) 905-851-0744

OANHSS Privacy Policy

OANHSS members include not-for-profit providers of long term care, services and housing for seniors in Ontario.
Members include municipal and charitable long term care homes, non-profit nursing homes,
seniors' housing projects and community service agencies.