Chester Gillan, Minister of Health today announced an increase in the subsidy per diem rate provided to currently subsidized residents of private nursing homes.
“We know that costs are rising for private nursing home operators and we understand the need to provide this subsidy increase,” says Minister Gillan. “The rate for Level 4 residents will increase by $4 per day to $122.50, and for Level 5 residents the rate will increase by $6 per day to $137.50,” he added.
Levels range from 1 to 5 and indicate the degree of nursing care required for a resident, with 5 being the highest level of care required.
“This subsidy increase is a positive step in addressing the care needs of the senior population we serve and the staffing needs of private nursing home operators,” says Kirk DeBoer, President, Nursing Home Association of PEI (NHAPEI). “PEI provides the most hours of care in its private and public nursing homes for those residents requiring the highest level of nursing attention.”
Forty-two per cent of the long-term care nursing beds are located in the private sector on PEI. Approximately 65 percent of residents in private nursing homes are subsidized.
“Government values the vital role of private nursing homes in the delivery of long-term care for Island seniors,” said Minister Gillan. “This subsidy increase will help to ensure continued high quality services for private nursing home residents.”