More changes have been made to regulations under New Brunswick’s Nursing Home Act to improve the management of the nursing home waiting list.
Social Development Minister Cindy Miles made the announcement Friday.
“We made these changes to put New Brunswickers and their personal preferences first,” Miles said.
One change removes the previous requirement that prospective residents choose two nursing homes as their preference.
Going forward, they must now select one as their preference and then may select as many others as they want. But all choices will be considered equally.
The second change relates to consequences for people twice refusing an offer to any of their preferred nursing homes.
Until now, a person who refused a placement was moved to the bottom of the waiting list.
Effective Friday, anyone who makes one refusal may keep their place on the list and wait for a second offer.
Once a person refuses a placement a second time, they’ll be removed from the list and must wait 12 weeks before they can reapply.
There are two exceptions to the second-refusal rule.
Prospective residents won’t be removed from the waiting list if they refuse an interim placement or are waiting in hospital.
A person who refuses a nursing home offer twice while in hospital or refuses an interim offer will keep their spot on the list and continue to receive offers.
Social Development clients currently on the list have been contacted to update their preferences and advised of the new policy regarding second refusals.
Seniors Minister Lyne Chantal Boudreau said the regulation changes will help the government better match seniors to the right fit.
“We know that seniors waiting for long-term care placements want the best possible options for living and staying close to their loved ones,” Boudreau said.
