The number of aging Saskatchewan residents needing care and lacking the money to pay for it has prompted a call for provincial funding for personal care homes.
Darryl Binkley, president of the Saskatchewan Non-Profit Personal Care Home Association, is asking the provincial government for $2 million to $5 million to support 600 Level 1 and 2 beds and ensure their long-term viability.
“We’re asking for assistance in helping to cope with increased costs homes are incurring,” he said, citing increases in wages and operating expenses. “Care homes are having a tough time keeping up.”
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Twenty-six non-profit licensed homes operate in the province, four of which are on reserves.
Residents pay $1,500 to $2,500 a month to live in care homes, which are not subsidized by government. Home-care services and public nursing homes receive funding.
Basic senior citizen pension incomes are approximately $1,200 per month.
Binkley said the government’s response is to raise residents’ fees, but that’s not feasible for many seniors. That leaves some homes on the brink of closing, which would force residents to find care elsewhere.
“If closed, it becomes a big burden on the health region and the taxpayer of Saskatchewan.”
Binkley said the care home association has met with the provincial health minister but is not optimistic about receiving assistance.
The Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities offered its support, passing a resolution at its March convention calling for the provincial government to be a funding partner with the care home association.
Richard Taylor, deputy reeve of the RM of Meeting Lake, told delegates how three family members had recently gone into separate care homes in the district.
“(My family members) put money away for it, but not everybody had opportunities to do that.”
He said his community conducts fundraisers to help with shortfalls but feels government also needs to provide money.
“Top up whatever is lacking there.”
Taylor said the care homes are fully occupied and need the revenue to keep operating. Many employees work at minimum wage, non-unionized jobs and choose to live and work in their communities and provide care for seniors.
“You want to keep the dignity of the person and still help them.”
Taylor said returning seniors to their homes is not an option because home care might not be available or practical, with some requiring help taking medication several times a day.
SARM executive director Ken Engel said there is a great need for care homes in rural Saskatchewan.
“A lot of people in rural Saskatchewan are at that age and are looking for that.”
He said their ability to pay for it might be hampered by poor farm incomes in recent years.
