Seniors Not Asked to Put Burial Plots Toward Cost of Care

In a statement released today, Sept. 25, Health Minister Jamie Muir said that the Department of Health does not ask, nor has it ever asked, seniors to sell their paid burial plots to go toward the cost of their long-term care.

"We ask Nova Scotians to pay what they can toward the high cost of their nursing home care -- every province does that to some degree," said Mr. Muir. "But we absolutely do not, and never have, asked people to put their paid burial plots in the mix."

Mr. Muir said that long-term care is not covered under the Canada Health Act and that provinces do not receive any federal funding for nursing home care.

He added that no senior goes without the care they need. The province subsidizes those who cannot afford to contribute to the cost of their care. Over 80 per cent of people living in nursing homes receive financial help for their care from the Department of Health at an annual cost of $196 million.