Enhancements Through Budget 2011 Will Benefit Small
Personal Care and Community Care Homes

As highlighted in Budget 2011, the Provincial Government is investing $792,000 for the creation of a Small Personal Care Home Subsidy Program. The program will support the sustainability of small personal care and community care homeowners experiencing cost pressures.

“We value the important role small personal care homes and community care homes play in this province and the support they provide to the long-term care and community supports services system,” said the Honourable Jerome Kennedy, Minister of Health and Community Services. “Our government acknowledges the unique situation faced by operators of some smaller personal care and community care homes. This program is intended to assist them with their unique operating needs.”

The new subsidy program will provide a $2,000 monthly subsidy to personal care and community care home operators that meet the following criteria:

•     A licensed personal care or community care home as of April 1, 2011;
•     Have an annual average occupancy of 15 residents or less at the provincial set subsidized rate;
•     In compliance with all provincial standards; and,
•     Have the structural ability to meet current operational standards, including physical condition.

“Revitalizing and strengthening the province’s long-term care and community support services system throughout the province is a top priority for our government,” said Minister Kennedy. "Currently, there are 97 personal care homes and 14 community care homes across the province. We anticipate the new program will benefit approximately 20 personal care homes and 10 community care homes with 15 or fewer residents. This program is intended to provide financial assistance to these homes.”

The Small Personal Care Home Subsidy Program will provide funding to eligible homes in addition to the increased personal care home and community care home subsidy rate that was also announced in Budget 2011. The Provincial Government is investing $2.4 million to increase that subsidy from $1,717 to $1,800, as well as the creation of 100 new portable subsidies for personal care homes. Since 2004, the personal care home subsidy rate has increased from $1,112 to $1,800.

Budget 2011 also provides $2.6 million to increase the current home support hourly subsidy rate by 25 cents, raising the current rate from a differential of $1.75 to $2 above minimum wage. Budget 2011 investments also complement the recently announced Isolation Grants Program which will provide up to $1 million to support personal care homes in isolated areas.

“Our government recognizes that we have an aging population and we are committed to making the right investments now to ensure we can continue to provide all our residents with access to quality health care services,” said Minister Kennedy. “Our investments through Budget 2011 are a further example of that commitment.”

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2011 04 20                                                    3:10 p.m.