Retirement News : Seniors : Elder-care solutions not simply a question of money, experts say

Elder-care solutions not simply a question of money, experts say

Date Added: 31-07-2005

Worried that the provincial government intends to levy a hidden tax as part of its sweeping social and health-care reforms, a Montreal senior complained yesterday that the elderly already pay thousands of dollars for drug and health-care insurance but get little in return.

"It's just not fair when the banks and corporations have the lowest income tax of anybody, yet they are getting billions of dollars in profits, including Hydro-Quebec," said Arline Neilsen, 73.

Her comments echo criticism provoked Thursday by Bank of Montreal executive Jacques Menard's controversial report calling for increases in consumer taxes, especially electricity and sales taxes, to keep the Quebec health system afloat.

Critics immediately called Menard's key recommendation - a new annual "loss of autonomy" insurance premium of up to $396 per person - a "hidden tax."

"Medicare, when it first came out, was in the black and it used to be paid separately," Neilsen pointed out.

"Then it went into the general fund and no one has any idea what we paid or where it went."

Patient advocates have called for better management of current funding before new money is collected.

"I worked all my life and I pay taxes, including medicare, to this day," said Neilsen, whose annual medical coverage, including the provincial drug plan, medicare and private health insurance, adds up to a cost of $4,000.

Dentist fees, some medications and eyewear are extra.

The province already funds a home-care program through CLSCs (community clinics), but resources are strained.

If Neilsen needed home care today, she'd face a wait of up to six months before getting an evaluation, health officials said.

"We don't have enough services in place in the public sector," said Heather Legault, a nurse who works in the private sector.

"But not everyone can afford private (care)."

Private Montreal companies already offering home care and palliative services say they could fill the gap, with services paid for under the "loss of autonomy" plan.

"People of a certain income level have always opted for specialty care," said Debbie Must, owner of Aylmer-Must Health Care Service, in business for 21 years.

The CLSC system is very good, Must said, "but it can't provide 24-hour-a-day care."

Menard's alarming scenario of aging baby boomers generating an urgent need to increase home-care services is a "no-brainer. We know the statistics," said Roslyn Cabot, director of Wecare Home Health Services, which opened in Montreal seven years ago.

"But how to finance it? Two options: Tell the CLSCs to do more, or give it to the private sector because you get more bang for your buck."

That's the model in Alberta, Ontario and British Columbia, which already subcontract private companies like Wecare, she added.

Private-care fees are $14 to $17 an hour for help with daily living activities - light housekeeping, hygiene, bathing, preparing a meal, getting in and out of bed - or $300 for 24-hour service.

The hourly fee for a registered nurse is $42, plus 15.1 per cent in provincial and federal taxes.

For More Information:

http://www.canada.com/montreal/montrealgazette/news/montreal/story.html?id=cc9c2fd5-63e3-4e7e-a103-6a562c494bbc