Long Term Care in the North West Territories

GOVERNMENT-SUBSIDIZED NURSING HOMES

How Nursing Homes are organized and administered

Nursing homes in the Northwest Territories are residential long term care facilities that provide accommodation, supervisory care, personal care and nursing and medical services on a 24-hour basis.

Assessment, waiting lists and admission into a nursing home are managed by the Health and Social Services Authority who are regulated by the department of Health and Social Services, and  reviewed by TAC (Territorial Admissions Committee). A client must contact his/her local Health and Social Services Authority to arrange for an assessment. Placement is based on needs of client and available facilities. Generally, clients must be 60 years of age or older, but if the application/assessment indicates a high need based on the client's mental/physical condition, or if the level of available care in home or the community are inadequate,  an age exemption may be made.

Eligibility/Requirements for Admission

To be eligible for admission into nursing homes a client must:

• be a citizen or permanent resident of Canada,
• be a resident of the Northwest Territories for a minimum of  6 months,
• have a valid Northwest Territories health card, and
• have been assessed as needing a nursing home level of care.

Income/Asset Test

There is no income or asset test.

Costs for Nursing Homes

The cost for nursing homes is $1,000.00/month. This covers room and board and medical services. Personal items and additional services are the responsibility of the client. Nursing homes fees are covered by pensions given for seniors and no government subsidy is needed. Every client receives a pension that is sufficiently large enough to cover nursing home fees. The cost for a respite care bed is $32.88/day.

GOVERNMENT-SUBSIDIZED HOME CARE

How Government-subsidized home care is organized and administered

Home support services are designed to help clients remain independent and in their own home as long as possible rather than going to a hospital or long term care facility which may not be located in their community.

Home support provides personal assistance with daily activities, such as; foot care, home intravenous support, nursing, nutrition services, rehabilitation, and assistance with bathing, dressing, grooming, light household tasks that help to maintain a safe and supportive home.

In the Northwest Territories, home care is managed by the local Health and Social Services Authorities. The local Health and Social Services Authority will conduct an assessment to determine needs and develop a care plan accordingly. The actual number of hours of home care allotted to a client depends upon assessment and availability. However, housekeeping services are limited to a maximum of 4 hours per month.

Eligibility/Requirements for Admission

To be eligible for home care, clients must:

• be a citizen or permanent resident of Canada,
• be a resident, and have resided in the Northwest Territories for a minimum of 6 months,
• have a valid Northwest Territories health card,
• have been assessed as needing home care,  and,
• live in an area where the program is offered.

Income/Asset Test

There is no income or asset test.

Costs

There are no fees for home care. Home care is entirely subsidized by the government.

How Adult Day Programs Work

Adult day programs are designed for dependent adults/seniors, physically located in the community, to provide a safe group setting during the day when family members are not available to care for them. These centres are usually open daily, Monday through Friday (some on Saturday as well). They provide a secure, caring and positive setting for those who are experiencing memory loss, communication disorders, social isolation or physical disabilities. Nutritious lunch meals are provided which usually accommodate any special diet, along with an afternoon snack. Participants need to be mobile, with the possible assistance of a cane, walker or wheelchair. Adult day programs can be public or private, non-profit or for-profit.

Adult day programs in the NorthWest Territories are managed and operated by and accessed through the Health and Social Social Services Authority. Seniors pay daily fees to cover part of meals & activities.

The purpose of an adult day program is:

• to provide dependent adults/seniors time to enjoy a setting outside of their house where they can obtain both mental and social encouragement and stimulation and any required health care
• to provide family caregivers with a much-needed break in order to focus on themselves, take time and relax or go to work

Costs

In the Northwest Territories Adult day programs cost $10/day.

As of October 2024 (the date or our latest research), there are no existing Adult day programs in the NorthWest Territories.