The topic: Newfoundland and Labrador’s long term care system.
What’s new: The wait list for individuals who are in need of long term care in Newfoundland and Labrador has reached nearly 300 people, as the senior citizen community is expected to expand by over 75 percent in the next 12 years.
Why it’s important: The waiting list for long term care (LTC) facilities in Newfoundland and Labrador are at the highest they have been in nearly two years according to a provincial government briefing note.
The number of people waiting in August of 2016 reached 295, all looking for a place in a care facility.
These individuals either suffer from debilitating disabilities, or are senior citizens who are no longer able to survive without aid.
The provincial government said in the briefing note that this has becoming a growing concern due to the aging baby boomer population.
This documentation was obtained through a previously released access to information request file through the Newfoundland and Labrador provincial government.
Files from a 2014 briefing note regarding Newfoundland and Labrador’s long term care bed planning project. Retrieved through an access to information request.
The briefing notes from 2014, which focus on the province’s bed planning project, stated that the 75 plus community is projected to increase by 77 percent over the next 12 years.
The government has put in place “initiatives to decrease demand for LTC beds by enhancing community support” said the document.
According to the department of health and community service’s website community support refers to home care and special assistance. These programs allow individuals to receive government funding for treatment and care without having to leave their home.
Despite the bed planning initiative the document shows that a high volume of people sill remain on waiting lists.
The nearly three-year-old documents said that there were under 3000 beds in 41 facilities across all of Newfoundland and Labrador.
The number of long term homes has since decreased to 37, which are both provincially and privately owned.
What the government says: Newfoundland and Labrador’s Minister of Health, Dr. John Haggie said that long term care is a major concern for the provincial government.
“We have the fastest aging demographic in Canada and we also currently have the largest proportion of seniors,” said Haggie.
He said that the province’s plan to reduce the demand for long term care has been effective in eliminating nearly half of people from the waiting lists.
Haggie added that 2017 has been a fiscally challenging year for the province. But he does not anticipate any cuts to long term care funding.
What others say: Grant Maddigan, a recent university graduate, said that his grandmother has been waiting to be accepted into a long term care facility since the beginning of August.
Maddigan admitted his frustration about the situation over email. And said that eight months is too long to wait for care.
He added that his grandmother, who wished to remain unnamed, visits a care facility in St. John’s daily, where her husband has been receiving care since July. He said she hopes that she can be admitted to the same facility soon.
What’s next: Premier Dwight Ball announced during a press conference that a new long term care building will begin construction in Corner Brook in the fall of 2017.
He said the new facility will have enough beds to accommodate 120 individuals who are seeking care.
According to last year’s budget speech, the majority of the province’s funds go directly to health care.
The 2017 provincial budget is due to be released in the coming weeks.
Federal Access to Information
Provincial access to information request from Newfoundland and Labrador.