Seniors organization asks: Where and what is the plan for long-term beds?

Alberta Seniors United Now press release

Although there continues to exist a dire need for long-term beds in the province of Alberta, and although the government is fully aware of this need, there has been a frustrating lack of progress in bringing these beds into existence.   Instead, the government focus is all about increasing the cap that specifies how much can be charged for these beds in private nursing homes.  “How is this discussion helpful in addressing the need for long-term beds?” asks John MacDonald, Executive Director of Seniors United Now (SUN). “Unless the discussion includes details about how these extra costs will be covered and by whom, it is nothing more than an irresponsible chat, causing fear and anguish for many seniors.”


In private nursing homes, or long-term care facilities, room and board is paid by the residents. Government subsidization of these rates only applies to those seniors whose annual income is below the already-low income threshold for qualification of the Alberta Seniors’ Benefit program.    Raising the cap on rates in private nursing homes merely widens the gap between seniors of differing income levels. “What the concept does, essentially, is create a two-tier health system for seniors. Those seniors who can afford to pay for a long-term bed, under the increased cap, will do so. Those who cannot, will not.”

Long-term care is the only type of health care facility for which room and board is charged. It is also the only type of seniors’ care facility with regulated government rates.  Despite regulation, the rates have seen a 90% increase over the past ten years.  The proposal to remove the cap, a cap which has already allowed a 90% increase, is unacceptable without an accompanying discussion of the implications to seniors’ pocketbooks.

MacDonald says, “The movement of long-term seniors from hospitals to long-term care facilities makes sense, socially and financially, and SUN is fully supportive. But the government must provide answers and details around the issues they raise:

1. Where are these long-term beds that they have identified as being critical.
2. If the cap on nursing home rates is raised, how will the difference be made up? Voters, not just seniors, want and deserve an answer.”

Alberta Seniors United Now (SUN) is a non-profit, non-partisan, province-wide organization.

Our vision is to be a leading resource and advocate on seniors’ issues.

For more information on Alberta Seniors United Now (SUN) visit www.seniorsunitednow.com