Canada – Leaders in Nova Scotia’s long-term care sector are applauding a new law. This legislation will ensure couples (including veteran couples) can live together in nursing homes. It will be provided even if, their care needs are vastly different.
On Thursday, the provincial government confirmed the Life Partners in Long Term Care Act has been proclaimed. It will take effect on March 1.
“As a sector, we have definitely been advocating for this for quite a long time,” said Michele Lowe, managing director for the Nursing Homes of Nova Scotia Association.
The Life Partners in Long Term Care Act was first announced in February last year. The Act will cover Nova Scotians admitted to any one of the 133 long-term care homes licensed and funded.
Moreover, Premier Stephen McNeil said work is underway with the federal government to ensure this applies to homes with veterans’ units as well.
Prior to the legislation, Nova Scotian couples could be placed in different facilities based on each person’s care requirements. Similarly, the availability of beds to meet those particular needs in homes.
However, starting next month, if a person requires a residential care bed, but their spouse has higher needs that warrant a more expensive long-term care bed, both will be placed together even if the home has no residential care beds available.
Krista Beeler, administrator of the Dykeland Lodge in Windsor, N.S., said nursing homes have been working provincial placement teams to keep couples (including veteran couples) together for years.
She welcomes the legislation, however, as it will ensure reunification is at the top of the placement priority list.
“We had a gentleman here whose wife was at another property in the city. He was desperate to be with her,” she explained. (continue reading and watch..)
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