As you may have heard in the media this week, it has been reported that the Fraser Health Authority has implemented a new policy which imposes a fee of $25/month to people who live in residential care facilities and require a wheelchair.
CAOT-BC has heard from many of its members who have concerns about the implications of this policy on our clients lives.
We want to know what you think about this issue. Is this policy in effect in your community? Please share your experiences with CAOT-BC and your colleagues via the comments feature of this blog or by emailing CAOT-BC.
In addition, CAOT-BC encourages you and your colleagues to send a letter to the editor of any newspaper with your perspective. Let's work together to increase awareness about this issue.
Read more:
CBC News Story
Huffington Post Story
I think a greater issue is what wheelchair resources are actually available (or not available) to seniors in long term care facilities and who pays for them! I would love to hear more from those who have greater experience with this issue.
ReplyDeleteMary Glasgow Brown
Received from Emma S:
ReplyDeleteI would like to propose an alternate angle, which could end up benefiting the clients more than simply removing the fee.
Now that they will be charging residents for the use of wheelchairs, it makes a convincing case for the residents to request more suitable assessment and seating than they might be getting otherwise. Now that they are paying for the service, the facilities have an obligation to provide appropriate, qualified assessment, seating that matches their needs, and continued maintenance and followup.
I have many of the same feelings as Emma S. If clients/residents are to be charged for equipment, then the owness to provide good quality, safe equipment is established.
ReplyDeleteI think of the work Guylaine Desharnais and her colleagues did at VCH to bring the issue of lack of suitable seating equipment to the forefront...making it a safety issue.
So...if there is a charge...there should be some accountability. How will a family feel if they pay $25 for a chair with a broken seatbelt, or a chair that really doesn't meet their loved one's needs.
Interestng...I'll be following this topic!
Allison Patterson
Victoria
Jenn MacNeil in Victoria writes:
ReplyDeleteI agree with the above comments and have a bit different perspective as well. I come from Nova Scotia and worked for the Red Cross overseeing the HELP - Special Equipment Program.
This program funded wheelchairs for residents of long term care and depending on the income of the client, there could be no fee or there could be a monthly fee that was ascending based on income level (~#100/month for someone with a current income of >$60000).
However, these chairs were in new condition and we repaired everything anytime it was needed. The government funded the program and it worked out quite well as whatever piece of equipment was needed, could be applied for, and the only restrictions were that the equipment had to be re-usable for others after the client no longer needed it; ie - no mattress pads, we instead provided specialized mattresses.
So, in my opinion, the fee is not the main problem, but rather what it being given in exchange for a blanket fee and why can't it be a variable fee based on income? Just my two cents!
Thanks for the extra info on Nova Scotia's program Jenn...makes SOOO much sense.
DeleteHeather Boyes writes:
ReplyDeleteI think this new policy is a disgrace. To penalize people for requiring a wheelchair is discriminatory. I am not aware of any similar policy within Interior Health where I am employed. There are limits in delivering health care as if it were a business. This policy crosses the line. Many individuals do not have the means to provide additional funding in residential care. I support an advocacy effort towards changing this policy through CAOT BC Branch.