The daughter of a 105-year-old woman in Prince Edward Island’s long-term care is raising concerns as her mother no longer meets the provincial financial assistance criteria by a narrow margin of approximately $75. Verna Phillips, who has been in long-term care for around two and a half years, used to pay about $4,600 monthly. However, due to a slight increase in her income from pensions, she now faces an additional cost of about $2,000 per month to maintain her current living arrangement as she no longer qualifies for government aid.
June Rigden, the daughter, expressed disbelief at the situation, emphasizing the challenges her mother would face at her age if forced to move. She vowed to prevent any disruptions to her mother’s care. The subsidy program in the province helps residents cover nursing home expenses, with Rigden noting that her mother had always been eligible until this year when her income exceeded the subsidy threshold by a mere $75, resulting in a significant financial burden of $24,000 annually to maintain her current accommodations.
Health P.E.I. confirmed that 85% of long-term care residents are covered by the subsidy program but highlighted that changes in income could lead to loss of support. While Rigden’s appeal against the subsidy decision was unsuccessful, the province subsequently adjusted the income threshold, potentially allowing her mother to qualify for assistance once again with the new limit set at an annual net income of less than $44,250.40.
Rigden, who remains optimistic about her mother’s situation and advocates for a more flexible system to prevent abrupt subsidy cuts for seniors, especially those over 100, is in discussions with Health P.E.I. to seek a reassessment of her mother’s case. She hopes that not only her mother but also other seniors facing similar challenges will benefit from a fair and supportive resolution.