Seniors to Campbell — devastating rate hike not ‘fair and equitable’

by Helga Boker. An open letter to Premier Gordon Campbell by the Columbia House Family Council in Invermere about the devastating impact of residential care rate increases.

Dear Mr. Campbell,

We are APPALLED with the new rate structure for Long-Term Care Residents. How can this Government stand with any kind of dignity when you proudly announce “Resident Rate Increases are expected to generate around $53.7 million in additional revenue”? This news release also stated that “Residents receive full coverage for most prescription medication and equipment as well as some over-the-counter drugs”. This statement is completely misleading and has ABSOLUTELY NO TRUTH.

These rates COMPLETELY IGNORE all of the additional monthly expenses residents must incur, including ALL medication expenses (as they are not covered) as well as all hygiene supplies, clothes, dental, vision, hair, nail and skin care products. Also not covered is the equipment that has to be individually purchased – example – Broda chair $3500. Wheelchair $2500. Chair cushions $500. Oxygen – Nebulisers – toilet seat risers, etc., etc.

There is a tremendous financial burden placed on COUPLES who must maintain a residence while, at the same time, having a spouse “in care” and YOU want 80% of their combined income, leaving them with little to live on while covering all of the above expenses. How can this be called Fair and Equitable??

This income can be lowered slightly if couple is willing to demean the whole idea of their marriage after 46-60+ years and take the undignified step of getting an “involuntary separation” This is what YOU are forcing them do in order for the one spouse living at home to be able to barely survive. This is DISGUSTING. These people worked hard all their lives so they could both retire when the OAP and the CPP arrived and now you want 80% of it. Most residents have to purchase a Broda and a wheelchair and those two items alone would take 2 years to pay off at your $275 a month (which is left over after your 80% is stripped off the backs of our seniors).

This new rate structure is OUT OF LINE and needs to be evaluated again as you are pushing our seniors into poverty and despair.

A reply is expected.

Helga Boker, Chair
Signed on behalf of The Columbia House Family Council which represents 34 residents and their families.

Copies to –

Minister of Health – Kevin Falcon (kevin.falcon@gov.bc.ca)
MLA – Norm Macdonald
Pioneer (Newspaper)
Valley Echo (Newspaper)
Columbia Valley News.com

The Office of the Premier may be reached by email at premier@gov.bc.ca

(Edited for spelling and punctuation by ShuNews)