Long-term Care

Long-term care provides specialized nursing and personal care services to individuals who can no longer live on their own, with family or home care supports. These services are provided while respecting each resident’s dignity and personal choices. 

Services are provided in both public and private long-term care nursing homes and include:

• 24-hour nursing care;
• room and board;
• personal care; and
• medical services. 

I may need a nursing home in a couple of years ... should I apply now?

No, only those who are ready to move into a home now should apply.

How do I know the level of care I need?

After you contact Home Care, a Care Coordinator will meet with you to assess your care needs. Other professionals may also need to meet with you and your family to better understand your personal situation.

Home Care Office contact information:

Souris (902) 687-7096
Montague (902) 838-0786
Charlottetown (902) 368-4790
Summerside (902) 888-8440
O’Leary (902) 859-8730

How do I know if I need to go to a long-term care home?

Everyone’s situation is different. Some people enter long-term care because:

• they may require more care than what Home Care can provide;
• family member(s) can no longer meet their care needs; or
• their health care needs have increased, requiring additional services such as daily nursing care.

How do I apply for long-term care?

If you or a family member believes you need long-term care, your care needs will be evaluated through a standard home care health assessment review. The assessment will be used to determine if you need nursing care to continue to meet your basic daily health care requirements. Once you have been assessed as needing nursing home care, you may be eligible for admission if you:

• are a resident of PEI;
• have a valid PEI Health Card;
• have Canadian citizenship or are a landed immigrant (a non-Canadian who has established residence in Canada and who holds a visa entitling permanent residence in Canada); and
• are present in PEI for three months or more.

Note: An individual who does not meet the above eligibility criteria, may apply for admission to a nursing home and request consideration for admission on an exceptional status basis from the Director of Long-term Care.

Can I choose where I want to live?

Yes, you can choose the home you prefer as long as it is able to meet your specific care needs. Your Care Coordinator will discuss nursing home options with you and your family. You may request to be on the wait list of up to three different facilities. Your choices are given equal priority when we offer you a chance to move into a nursing home, so it is important that you choose only those nursing homes you wish to move into. Once you provide us with your list of facilities, your name will be placed on the wait list according to the date you were approved for long-term care. 

What should I keep in mind when selecting these homes?

It is important you put your name only on wait lists for homes where you are sure you want to live. You or a family member should consider visiting some homes when making selections. When choosing a nursing home keep the following points in mind:

• Is the location of the home convenient for friends and family to visit?
• Does the home offer activities and services you enjoy?
• Does the home offer the type of accommodation you prefer at a price you can afford?

How long are the wait lists?

Wait times can range from several weeks to several months, or longer, and depend on the number of people on the wait list and how quickly a suitable vacancy becomes available. If you live at home and your situation worsens while you are on the wait list, you should contact your Care Coordinator. The Care Coordinator may be able to arrange for other services, such as additional Home Care or respite care. If you feel you need hospital care, please call your family doctor.

How long will I have to wait for a long-term care admission if I want to live in the same home as my family member?

When you meet with your Care Coordinator, he/she will determine whether you require long-term care and if your care needs can be met in the same facility as your family member. Efforts are made to place close family members in the same facility as soon as possible.

What do I need to know if I am in the hospital waiting to move into a long-term care home?

Every effort will be made to place you in the home of your choice. However, when a suitable bed is not available in your chosen home, you will be asked to move to the first available bed. When a suitable bed becomes available in one of your selected home(s), you will have the option to transfer there. If you decline the offer to move to a nursing home, the hospital may discharge you.

Is there an age requirement for eligibility?

You are eligible to move into a nursing home if you are 65 years of age or older and have been assessed as needing nursing level of care.

If you are under 65 years of age, you may be considered for eligibility if you have been assessed as needing nursing level of care and no other reasonable alternative exists.

Do I pay for my own long-term care?

Long-term care costs are shared by you, the resident, and the provincial government. You pay your accommodation costs and personal expenses and Health PEI pays your health care costs. The Department of Health and Wellness sets standard accommodation charges annually. Those who can pay the standard accommodation charge are not required to complete a financial assessment. Those who cannot pay the standard accommodation charge can apply to have their rate reduced through an income based financial assessment.

How much will it cost?

The daily cost for accommodations in public manors and for subsidized residents in private care homes is $114.67 per day. Other rates may also apply in private homes, depending on the type of room you requested and ability to pay.  

If you have a net annual income of less than $43,414.55, you may qualify for a government subsidy to help pay for your accommodations at the nursing home. For more information, contact the Long-term Care Subsidization Program at (902) 368-6130.

Private nursing homes have various rates for their accommodation charges, unless a resident has qualified for a government accommodation subsidy.

How do I contact a specific long-term nursing home?

Long-term care nursing homes include both public and licensed private nursing homes, as well as, licensed nursing beds in private combined nursing facilities.

There are nine public nursing facilities and ten private nursing homes located across the province:

Souris

• Colville Manor
  20 MacPhee Avenue

Montague

• Riverview Manor
  14 Rosedale Road

Charlottetown

• Prince Edward Home
  75 Maypoint Road
• Beach Grove Home
  200 Beach Grove Road

Summerside

• Summerset Manor
  15 Frank Mellish Street
• Wedgewood Manor
  310 Brophy Avenue

Tyne Valley

• Stewart Memorial
  6926 Rte 12

O'Leary

• Margaret Stewart Ellis Home
  14 MacKinnon Drive

Alberton

• Maplewood Manor
  405 Church Street 

How do I contact Long-term Care?

Long-term Care
223 Queen Street, 2nd Floor
PO Box 2000
Charlottetown, PE   C1A 7N8

Telephone: (902) 368-6130