GOVERNMENT-SUBSIDIZED NURSING HOMES
How Nursing Homes are organized and administered
Nursing homes in Newfoundland & Labrador are residential long term care facilities that provide accommodation, supervisory care, personal care and nursing and medical services on a 24-hour basis. They are designed for seniors who can no longer be adequately cared for in the home and require on-site professional nursing services. Care and accommodations for these residents is subsidized by the Department of Health and Community Services. As the existing facilities are accredited public facilities, they are not currently licensed.
Assessment, waiting lists and admission into a nursing home are managed by the Regional Health Authorities (RHAs). The RHA will conduct an in-home assessment to determine a client's needs and will help the client transition into a nursing home. Placement is based on the organization's ability to respond to the individual's assessed needs and preferences
Eligibility/Requirements for Admission
To be eligible for admission into nursing homes an individual must:
- be a citizen or permanent resident of Canada,
- be a resident of Newfoundland & Labrador,
- have been assessed as needing nursing home level of care.
Income/Asset Test
Clients who can afford to pay the full cost of their services do not require a financial assessment.
Those who feel that they cannot afford long term care must undergo a financial assessment. The RHA will assess whether the client is eligible for subsidization based on income tax returns. The Department of Health and Community Services sets the fees of nursing homes and provides funding to the RHAs for subsidies to those who are eligible. Nursing home fees are currently $2,990/month, regardless of the type of accommodation. If a client is unable to pay based on a financial assessment conducted by the RHA, the government will pay the difference between the income of the client and the cost of the nursing home, leaving $150/month for the client as spending money.
Costs for Nursing Homes
The Department of Health and Community Services sets the fees of nursing homes and provides funding to the RHAs for subsidies to those who are eligible. Nursing home fees are currently $2,990.00/month, regardless of the type of accommodation. If a client is unable to pay based on a financial assessment conducted by the RHA, the government will pay the difference between the income of the client and the cost of the nursing home, leaving $175/month for the client as spending money.
Nursing home fees cover the services provided by long term care facilities such as professional nursing care, medical services, social work services and personal care services, food, accommodation, pharmacy services including documentation on medication procurement, therapeutic rehabilitative and restorative services that are designed to meet the assessed needs of the residents.
RETIREMENT HOMES / RESIDENCES
How Retirement Homes are Organized and Administered
A retirement home in Newfoundland and Labrador is a multi-residence housing facility that provides accommodation and services such as meals and cleaning for older people. Retirement homes in the province are privately owned and operated and not administered by the provincial government. Each facility usually provides a private or semi-private room or complete living suite and then also provides common living quarters, including a lounge area, a common dining room, recreation rooms, cleaning services, social and/or religious programs and some basic health care services. The unit can be paid for on a monthly fee basis, like an apartment, or can in some instances be bought the same way as a condominium.
Admissions, fees and waiting lists for retirement homes are controlled by the homes themselves, not by the government. Admission usually depends on the ability to pay and absence of serious medical conditions that require professional nursing care. Residents are responsible for paying their own fees and government subsidies are not available for accommodation in a retirement residence.
Costs for Retirement Homes