GOVERNMENT-SUBSIDIZED NURSING HOMES
How Nursing Homes are organized and administered
Nursing homes or Homes for the Aged in Nova Scotia are residential long term care facilities that provide 24-hour professional nursing care and supervision in a protective, supportive environment for people who have complex care needs and can no longer be cared for in their own homes. They operate under the jurisdiction of the Department of Health and Wellness.
In order to gain admission into a nursing home a client must contact the Department of Health and Wellness, which does assessments and maintains waiting lists. The Department of Health and Wellness will send a care coordinator to meet with the client and assess his/her care needs. Other professionals may also need to meet with the client and his/her family to better understand the client's situation. The care coordinator's recommendation will be reviewed by specialists for final approval. Once approved, the client can put his/her name on the waiting lists of the nursing homes of his/her choice. Wait times can differ from several days to several months.
Eligibility/Requirements for Admission
To be eligible for subsidized care services clients must:
- be citizens or permanent residents of Canada,
- be residents of Nova Scotia,
- have health care needs that cannot be adequately managed by the family, home care services and community services.
Income/Asset Test
Individuals who are able to pay the standard accommodation charge are not required to undergo a financial assessment. They pay the standard accommodation charge and retain all remaining income and assets.
Individuals who cannot afford the standard rate can apply to have to have their accommodation rate reduced by undergoing an income-based financial assessment. At this time, the applicant will be asked to provide his/her most recent income tax information (Notice of Assessment provided by Canada Revenue Agency) for the designated tax year. If the applicant is married, adjustments will be made for the spouse and dependent children remaining in the community. The spouse remaining in the community will be able to retain 50 per cent of the joint family income and control over all assets. In some circumstances, a portion of the long-term care resident’s income may be transferred to the spouse in the community, providing that the resident’s income does not fall below the minimum retained income amount. The minimum retained amount is the amount that the Department of Health and Wellness ensures residents keep after paying for their long-term care. This amount is currently at least 15% of one's annual income, and they will not be left with a disposable income lower than $3,636.00/year (divided by 12 = $329.50/month). Residents have full control over the use and management of their retained income and all assets.
The financial assessment will not look at any assets, nor will the applicant be expected to sell his/her assets to pay toward the accommodation charge. The Department of Health and Wellness will conduct a financial review each year, or an individual can request a review at any time if his/her financial situation changes significantly.
Costs for Nursing Homes
Each year, the Department of Health and Wellness sets the standard accommodation charge for nursing homes. These rates are based on average operating costs. Residents are notified of their accommodation charges at least 30 days before the effective date.
The current nursing home fee is $108.25/day which includes accommodation and meals. This fee is collected by the nursing home. Residents must also pay for their personal expenses such as clothing, eyeglasses, hearing aids, dental services, transportation and other services not provided by the long-term care facility. There is less care provided in residential care facilities, and the set fee for this lower level of care is $64.25/day.
The cost for respite care beds is set at $40.50/day.
The government pays for the health-care costs for resident care (nursing and personal care, social work services, recreation therapy and physical, occupational and other therapies). The government also pays for transportation for dialysis and for inter-facility transfers due to the First Available Bed policy as well as a specialized equipment loan program for residents in long-term care. This program is administered by the Red Cross, Nova Scotia division. Depending on income, a resident may be required to pay a fee.
RETIREMENT HOMES / RESIDENCES
How Retirement Homes are Organized and Administered
A retirement home in Nova Scotia is a multi-residence housing facility that provides accommodation and services such as meals and cleaning services 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.
Admission, 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