FAQ

Does the government pay for all of long term care?

What do long term care residents get billed for?

What do donations pay for?

What about visiting with children

What kinds of gifts can I bring my family member?

The provincial government pays for the costs of care. This funding covers about 3.6 hours of care per day for the average resident, which includes:

• personal care (washing/bathing, dressing, feeding and hydration, washroom assistance/continence care, teeth/dentures, transfers from bed to chair, etc.);
• care management (care assessment and planning, physician orders, calls to family and family conferences, organizing appointments/transportation, etc.);
• clinical care (charting, medications/pharmacy, wound care, pain control, palliation, insulin, responding to illness/injury or change in clinical status, etc.)
• therapies and interdisciplinary support (occupational therapy and exercise, recreation therapy, social work, pastoral/spiritual care, life enriching activities, etc.)
• other staffing costs (staff vacations, sick time, benefit costs, etc.).

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Residents are billed for the kind of costs they would pay if they were still living in their own home – food/meal service, mortgage/rent, electricity/utilities, insurance, maintenance/upkeep, linens, housekeeping, etc. This is the accommodation fee. The provincial government sets this fee.

The accommodation fee is the only source of revenue that care centres receive to cover the board-and-lodging costs of residents.

The accommodation fee is $54.25 per day for a private room or $47 per day for a semi-private room. 

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Voluntary organizations such as Bethany Care Society fundraise for priority areas to improve quality of life for residents. This includes:

• programs (pastoral care, music therapy and other programs)
• equipment and furnishings (electric beds, lifts, etc.)
• capital projects (renovations, gardens, new buildings, etc.)

All fundraising for Bethany is through Bethany Care Foundation.

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It is important for children to visit family in the care centre. Residents enjoy the company and it fosters a sense of family connection for the child. However, it is not uncommon for children to be reluctant to visit. Here are some tips to make the most of a visit for children.

• Between visits, talk about what types of things their family member would find interesting
• Bring craft supplies to make a craft
• Bring a project they can work on together like knitting or building blocks
• Bring things they can share like chocolate and fruit
• Story books are a great way for the child and resident to communicate to each other

Several of Bethany’s care centres through their recreation programs offer opportunities for interaction between residents and young children. Check with your care centre for more details.

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Think of individualized gifts that will make life easier, more enjoyable, or safer. And don’t forget that time is the greatest gift of all.

Some suggestions:

• Flowers
• Gift certificates or prepaid cards for haircuts or other services
• Gifts that can be shared with friends like cookies , chocolate or fruit
• Lotions and soaps
• Large print books and magazine subscriptions
• Adaptive clothing, slippers with good tread
• Large dial or amplified telephone
• Lap board
• Rechargeable batteries and charger
• Magnifier
• Hobby supplies
• Puzzles, playing cards and games
• Donation to Bethany Care Foundation in their name

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