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February 14, 1996
(Health)

Correction regarding home support services

"The financial savings as well as the financial contributions of seniors toward home support services has not been made clear in news reports over the past few days," said Health Minister Lloyd Matthews. "Seniors are allowed to have at least $5,000 per individual and $10,000 per couple in liquid assets before they are assessed for home support, not $3,000 and $5,500 as has been suggested." These are liquid assets only and do not include personal assets such as a home or vehicle. This means a couple with savings exceeding $10,000 will not be assisted financially by government, however, once a client falls below the amount of savings allotted, they are eligible for financial assessment. "The current policy is fair and reasonable," said the minister.

On another point, Mr. Matthews said seniors do contribute a certain amount of financial support to receiving home support services. When a client is assessed, their expenses including home support are subtracted from their income and that will determine the amount of money seniors are expected to contribute.

"Government is not cutting into savings set aside by seniors to pay for their future costs. To even suggest such a thing is totally erroneous. This government has made policy decisions with respect to home support services by looking at what is sound, reasonable, compassionate and within available resources. We have managed to develop a comprehensive home support program that remains one of the best in the country. We have not set out to take away the life savings of our elderly. Such a charge is not only false and misleading but it is also causing unnecessary stress in the senior population."

Contact: Jill Sooley, Director of Public Relations, (709) 729- 1377