100 new long term care beds

The provincial government is adding 100 new long-term care beds across the province to help more seniors access the care they need in their communities close to family and friends.     

The 100 beds will be added to private nursing homes in Belfast, Stratford, Charlottetown, Summerside and Wellington in two phases with 50 available this fall/winter and another 50 available spring 2019 as follows:

• 20 beds - Mount Continuing Care Community in Charlottetown - 16 in phase 1; 4 in phase 2  
• 14 beds - Gillis Lodge in Belfast - 10 in phase 1; 4 in phase 2 
• 12 beds - Le Coopérative ‘Le Chez-Nous’ Ltée in Wellington - 12 in phase 2 
• 30 beds - Andrews of Summerside Inc. - 30 in phase 2 
• 24 beds - Andrews of Stratford Inc. - 24 in phase 1 

“Dignity, comfort and security are what people  expect and deserve as they age,” said Health and Wellness Minister Robert Mitchell.  “Adding these beds means more seniors can access the care they need close to their loved ones and will also reduce pressure at hospitals so that doctors and nurses can provide health care to patients more quickly and efficiently.”

“On behalf of The Mount Continuing Care Community, we are proud that government has expanded its investment in long term care on PEI ” said Paul Jenkins owner of The Mount Continuing Care Community. “This announcement continues to grow the tradition of expanding essential services to the seniors in our community. The Mount continues to be committed to providing each resident with the highest quality of living in an environment that upholds the emotional, physical, social, and spiritual well-being of all residents"

Long-term care in Prince Edward Island is provided in both public manors and private nursing homes. Since 2009 the province has invested more than $60 million in long-term care infrastructure, replacing 6 public manors. 

“By awarding these additional bed licenses, we are working collaboratively with the community and the private sector, to make high-quality long-term care services more available for Islanders now and well into the future,” said Minister Mitchell. “This initiative, combined with our Action Plan for Seniors, increased home care supports and enhanced community services, we are ensuring stable and sustainable support for our Island seniors.”

For more information about long-term care services, visit www.healthpei.ca/longtermcare.

Media Contact
Autumn Tremere
Health and Wellness
agtremere@gov.pe.ca
902-368-5610

Backgrounder

The breakdown of long term care beds on PEI:
With an aging population, the demand for long-term care supports has been growing. To provide a long-term and sustainable solution to meet these demands, a request for proposals was issued in July 2018 to engage private and non-profit providers for the provision of long-term care services. 

Through this competitive selection process, the Provincial Government has identified five providers with the capability of opening additional long term care beds over the next nine months: The Mount Continuing Care Community, Gillis Lodge, Le Coopérative ‘Le Chez-Nous’ Ltée, Andrews of Summerside Inc., and Andrews of Stratford Inc.

The long-term care facilities in the province, including the two phased approach to add 100 new beds.

The annualized cost and funding once both phases are operational is approximately $5 million. 

These 100 new regular long term care beds will be supplied and operated in accordance with the Community Care Facilities and Nursing Home Board Standards and the Agreement Respecting the Long Term Care Program in Private Nursing Homes. 

Why PEI is adding long term care beds
Prince Edward Island has an aging population. The addition of 100 new long term care beds was a recommendation of Promoting Wellness, Preserving Health - the province’s first-ever Action Plan for seniors, near seniors, and caregivers. The action plan includes the perspectives of more than 250 Islanders and includes recommendations to enhance the health and wellbeing for Island seniors. The Report is available online at www.princeedwardisland.ca/seniors-health.

What is long term care
Long-term care provides specialized nursing and personal care services to individuals who can no longer live on their own, with family or home care supports. These services are provided while respecting each resident’s dignity and personal choices. 

Services are provided in both public and private long-term care nursing homes and include:
•    24-hour nursing care;
•    room and board;
•    personal care; and
•    medical services. 

Who pays for long term care
In 2007 our government introduced the Long-Term Care Subsidization Act. The Act modernized our payment program for LTC, and changed the formula for subsidization.

Today, someone entering long term care is required to pay for their accommodations (room and board) and their personal expenses, to the maximum of their net monthly income.  Islanders who cannot afford the accommodations fee, are eligible to apply to the province’s Long Term Care Subsidization Program.

All permanent residents of PEI are eligible to have government pay for the health care costs of Long Term Care. 

For more information on the Long-term Care Subsidization Program, contact them at 1-888-365-5313