Whereas the Provinces Home Support Program allows seniors to stay in their own homes as long as possible, the preference of most seniors and the option which is far more cost-effective for the health care system at 14,000 per annum than moving to publicly subsidized long-term care at 60,000year; And whereas 70 of BC seniors are charged a fee of up to 30 of their income for Home Support, which many cannot afford, leading to poor health outcomes, caregiver burnout and premature placement in long-term care, resulting in BC having twice as many people in long term care who could be supported at home than in provinces that dont charge for home support like Alberta and Ontario: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM ask the Province of BC to waive the fees associated with the Home Support Program in order to make it accessible to all seniors regardless of income.
Ministry of Health The Ministry of Health is reviewing and assessing options related to affordability and accessibility of home support services. Government recognizes the importance of access to home support for seniors and those needing care. That is why fees for long-term home support services are based on an income-tested, sliding scale daily client rate. The majority of long-term home support clients do not pay a client rate because they receive one or more of the following: - Income benefits i.e., Guaranteed Income Supplement GIS - Income Assistance - Disability Assistance - War Veterans Allowance - BCs Palliative Care Benefits For example, approximately 64 of long-term home support clients are assessed a 0 rate i.e., no co-paymentdaily rate and 14 of clients have their rate capped at 300 per month. Additionally, if a client or their family will experience serious financial hardship by paying the assessed client rate, the client may apply for a waiver of all, or a portion, of the client rate for up to one year.