Social Development Minister Cathy Rogers has spelled out who the provincial government considers to be a wealthy senior, and as such, can contribute more for their nursing home care. Rogers says excluding R-R-S-P’s and registered retirement income funds, couples with 100 thousand dollars or more and single seniors with 50 thousand dollars or more in liquid assets will have to contribute to their long term care.
For couples, ten per cent of their assets over the 100 thousand dollar threshold will be factored yearly to determine how much they’ll have to pay. For those who are single, the calculation will be based on 20 per cent of their assets over 50 thousand dollars. Under the new policy, no one, no matter how wealthy they are, will pay more than $175 per day for care.
On the other hand, couples with household incomes of under 60 thousand dollars will pay less each month for their care. Those couples with a household income of 30 thousand dollars will see their monthly contribution for care decrease by 117 dollars a month.
