Long-term care rate hike ‘disgusting’

Editor’s note: This is a copy of a letter sent to Premier Gordon Campbell by the Columbia House Family Council

The Columbia Valley Pioneer

December 18, 2009

Dear Mr. Campbell:

We are appalled with the new rate structure for long-term care residents.  How can this government stand with any kind of dignity when you proudly announce: ‘Residence rate increases are expected to generate around $53.7 million in additional revenue’ that will be stripped off the backs of our seniors?

This news release also stated: ‘Residents receive full coverage for most prescription medications and equipment, as well as some over-the-counter drugs.’  This statement has absolutely no truth.

These rates completely ignore all of the additional monthly expenses residents must incur, which includes all medication expenses (as they are not covered) as well as all hygiene supplies, clothes, dental, vision, hair, nail and skin care.

Also not covered is the equipment that has to be individually purchased – for example, Broda (acute care) chair, $3,500; wheelchair, $2,500; chair cushion, $500; oxygen, nebulizer (medicine inhaler), toilet seat risers, etc.

There is a tremendous financial burden placed on couples who must maintain a residence while having a spouse ‘in care’ and you want 80 percent of their income, leaving them with little to live on and cover all the above expenses.  How can this be called fair and equitable?

This income can be lowered slightly if they do an undignified procedure by getting an involuntary separation after 40 to 60 years of marriage.

This is what you are making them do in order for the one spouse living at home to barely survive.  This is disgusting.

These people worked hard all their life so they could both retire when the Old Age Pension and Canada Pension Plan payments arrived and now you want 80 percent of it.

Most residents have to purchase a Broda chair and wheelchair, and those two items alone would take two years to pay off at your $275 per month.  Where is the money coming from for the rest?

This new rate structure is out of line and needs to be evaluated again as you are pushing our seniors into poverty and despair.  A reply is expected.

P.S. This is something everyone should be aware of as this will be you in a few years, fighting to keep a few dollars that you saved over the years or earned in a pension and the government wants 80 percent.

Helga Boker, Chair

Signed on behalf of Columbia House Family Council, which covers 34 residents and their families