Seniors separate ‘on a regular basis’ to afford care
Senior New Brunswick couples commonly get divorced or legally separated so they can afford nursing home care, says a seniors advocate.
As more people enter nursing homes, Veronica Ratchford, a representative from the Coalition for Seniors and Nursing Home Residents’ Rights, said an increasing number of couples are legally splitting up so they can get government help with the cost of that care.
“It is happening, I would say, on a regular basis and I think the reason why we do not hear about it is I feel that people are afraid,” Ratchford said.
“They’re afraid to speak up against government policies and also they are embarrassed for the public to know their income and what financial situation that they’re left with.”
Judy MacKenzie, 66, and her husband, Alton, legally separated on Dec. 11 after 45 years of marriage.
Alton had at least two strokes in 2003 and has had to be cared for in a Miramichi nursing home ever since.
Judy, who now lives in Fredericton, said the bill for her husband’s care is about $2,500 a month and the Department of Social Development is requiring her to pay about $700 of that.
After paying her rent, car payment and power bill, MacKenzie said she’s left with less than $500 a month to cover groceries, prescriptions, gas and insurance.
The only way to pay less for her husband’s care is to get a legal separation, she said.
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Undecided Voter Says:
I just went through a difficult period where I had to put my elderly/ailing mother in a nursing home.
Much to my surprise, theres a severe shortage of government run Nursing Homes (Manors) in Ontario (two year waiting list in my neck of the woods). They seemed to be the best after having checked many of them out but had to settle for a private nursing home which was much more expensive.
Many of the private homes in my area are poorly run. For example, four residents lost their lives last winter in a private Orillia Nursing Home (no water sprinklers) due to a bad fire. The owners were charged with numerous offences.
The Ontario government in my opinion does a very poor job in regulating the private Nursing Home industry.
Advice to those searching for a nursing home for a loved one, check them out thoroughly for competent staff, fire escape plan, water sprinklers, medical assistance, cleanliness, proper food preparation, resident entertainment and last but not least, make a surprise visit and ask for an immediate tour. If they refuse, you know theres probably something they dont want you to see.
Posted on December 15th, 2009 at 6:45 pm
Mac Says:
How selfish of retirees to want to keep their money instead of giving it all to the benevolent government and surrendering themselves into the warm embrace of the nanny state!!
Pretty sad when the elderly are forced to divorce to remain solvent. What I’ve heard about government run Manors isn’t much better or worse than private care… or much less expensive so long as the elderly have a dime in the bank. As soon as they’re destitute, the fees disappear.
Posted on December 15th, 2009 at 11:49 pm