Publicly-subsidized long-term care costs a monthly fee based on 80% of your after-tax income, with set minimum and maximum rates.
As long-term care is considered your home, you may be required to pay additional fees for services or items you would pay for living on your own. For example, there may be additional fees for things like equipment or aids, optional activities, and hairdressing services. You will be told about all fees before you move in.
The search for a long-term care home that best meets your needs starts as soon as the case manager or care provider completes your assessment. You are welcome to wait at home for your preferred care home.
It is important to let the case manager know if you experience changes in your health while waiting for a bed. Your case manager is best able to help you plan what to do next if you find staying at home more challenging.
BC's long-term care policy ensures people with the greatest assessed need have priority access to a long-term care home. When you are offered a bed in one of your preferred care homes, you will be expected to move with very short notice – often within 48 hours. Vancouver Coastal Health has the following suggestions to help you transition more smoothly to your new home:
Contact the long-term care home and request a copy of their handbook for helpful tips and suggestions about what to bring with you
Have friends and family ready to assist you with your move
Pack a bag with some essentials so you can relocate quickly
View the
Introduction to Long-Term Care Handbook - Preparing to Move on page 9 for more information
If you do not get into one of your preferred care homes initially, you will be offered an interim care home. If you accept the interim care home, you will keep your place on the waitlist for your preferred care home. When a new bed becomes available in one of your preferred locations, you will have the choice of accepting or declining it.
At all of our care homes, the primary language spoken is English but our staff members make every effort to honour and support each elder's unique cultural, ethnic and language backgrounds.