In the Media

A local group, however, is trying to change that. PLEA, long known for its work with children and foster care, has developed a program that would give seniors the opportunity to live with “foster” families in familiar neighbourhoods.

“It gives them more choice and options, especially when they’re faced with long waiting lists in facilities,” said Nikki Nagy, a registered nurse and manager of the FolkStone program, which started in November.

Still in its infancy, the program has only placed two residents in permanent homes but has offered some clients temporary respite.

Nagy said the program was the idea of long-time PLEA worker Steward Smith, who, inspired by aging family members, asked, “Why can’t we put seniors in a family home?” Smith began developing the idea about six years ago, but didn’t have time to get it off the ground until a year ago, when Nagy was hired and took it over. She gathered caregivers as a focus group and put the word out last fall for clients.

Clients are given the choice of homes in their community. They can visit each family in advance and make a decision about where they feel most comfortable. Clients are welcome to spend a night with a prospective family, free of charge. If they move in, and decide after a month that they don’t like where they’re living, they’re free to move.

Nurses, therapists and other trained professionals are on stand-by and available for rescheduled visits as required. Nagy also follows up on clients with unscheduled visits and interviews.

Fees depend on the level of care the client needs, starting at $1,950 per month for basic care, of which FolkStone takes about $400 for administration costs. The monthly cost for the highest level of care is $6, 000. Nagy said PLEA has applied for government funding so the program can be run in much the same way as the foster parent program. If the funding comes through, the government would pay for administrative costs and the entire monthly amount would go to the caregiver.

She said the agency is working hard to place a 52-year-old client who suffered a severe brain injury nine years ago and has been living in a long-term care facility since.

“It would be really nice to place someone like that in a home so they can live in a family setting,” Nagy said.
“Susan”—whose real name can’t be used due to confidentiality regulation—was the first home-caregiver enrolled in the program to take in a permanent client. She lives in Burnaby with her husband and two teenaged children, all of whom take part in caring for their elderly housemate.

“My daughter loves to sing and play piano so she sings to her all the time,” Susan said. “[The Client] loves it.”
A home-care worker and nurse for 18 years, Susan said she was drawn to an ad she saw in a local paper and immediately applied.

“This is a good alternative for someone who doesn’t want to go to a nursing home right away. She gets one-on-one attention and lots of [tender loving care].” She said. “And I get to work at home.”

For more information regarding the program, call 736-3601.
(Prices quoted in the article do not reflect current costs).