Do you qualify for long-term care? Will you have a say in where you live?
These two questions are the most commonly questions asked by individuals considering long-term care for themselves or a loved one.
Waterloo Wellington Alzheimer Society public education coordinator Robin Smart was the guest speaker at the May 6 congregate dining program hosted by the Seniors’ Centre for Excellence in Drayton.
“There is no one answer to the question, ‘What prompts individuals to pursue long-term care?’” Smart stated.
“Reasons include the caregivers inability to keep up, lack of sleep, patients need for increased physical care, patient wandering or not eating.”
Smart suggested everyone should do their homework when making inquiries about retirement homes. The rates charged for accommodation and services are not fixed by the government. Prices and services vary within each facility.
“The base price does not include additional services an individual may require. Things like having help putting socks on or taking medications. Help in these areas is paid by individual residents, along with hair dressing services, food and television to name a few,” Smart said.
Community Care Access Centres (CCACs) are the gateway agencies to the long-term care process. Long-term care homes are suited to individuals who require 24/7 care. These homes are under the authority of the Long-Term Care Homes Act 2007. After a person becomes a resident of a long-term care facility, care is no longer available from CCACs.
“You have to use the CCAC in order to get into a long-term care facility. A CCAC coordinator starts the paperwork. The million dollar question is, when should an application be put in? Everyone’s situation is different,” Smart explained.
The CCAC will take into consideration the patient’s health, stage of life and abilities, along with the caregivers needs, abilities and circumstances. Resources available in the community also play a large role.
To be eligible for consideration the individual must be 18+ years of age, insured with OHIP, need nursing care 24 hours per day or assistance with daily living, need monitoring for safety and well being and publicly funded community services must not be available in the area.
“Once accepted into the program, applications are sent to the homes the applicant chooses. Applications can be made for up to five homes. Online tours of homes are available, but I strongly suggest that individuals book a tour of each home before making any decisions,” Smart said.
As of September 2015, basic rooms containing two to four beds per room with private and shared bathrooms cost about $58 daily and $1,774 monthly. Semi-private rooms contain two beds per room with shared bathrooms amount to about $70 per day or $2,139 monthly. Private rooms with one bed and bathroom are $83 daily, $2,535 monthly. Services include physician care, nursing, personal support workers, dietary, housekeeping, laundry and recreation.
“Once you get the call, take a deep breath and take the 24 hours allotted before you make a decision. If you reject a home, your application for all the homes applied to will be removed from the system. Three months must pass before you are allowed to reapply. You are starting from the beginning again as a new client,” Smart said.
Acceptance can be done over the phone and moving day is within 24 hours. A bed can be held for up to five days, but the room must be paid for in that time period. Move-in day needs are health card, void cheque, notice of assessment and power of attorney documents and an individual to assist throughout the moving-in process. The facility has individuals who specialize in assisting with paperwork. Persons experiencing financial difficulty can apply for a rate reduction, which is decided by the government.
“Set up the room ahead of time if possible with items familiar to the patient. Label everything including eye wear and dentures. Take photographs of items for easier identification, in case they become lost. Don’t forget to take care of yourself if you are assisting someone becoming a resident in a long-term care facility,” Smart said.
For more information contact the Waterloo Wellington Community Care Access Centre toll free at 310-2222 (no area code required) or online at healthcareathome.ca.
