A St. John's couple is struggling to find home care at an affordable price.
CBC broke the story, one that appears to be typical of other retired people:
An elderly St. John's couple says they could be forced into bankruptcy to get the home care they need.
Pensioner Patrick Connors, 78, and his wife of 55 years, Shirley, live on a combined monthly income of just $2,100.
But Connors said they would have to give up more than half of that — and go into debt — to qualify for government-managed home care.
Health minister Ross Wiseman acknowledged government has been aware of the problems with what he termed the "financial tool" for at least two years.
Wiseman, though, did not say he expected the policy to be changed, but said an announcement could be made later this year.
Until then, he said the Connors will have to work with Eastern Health officials to try to meet their home care needs.
So that's the one hand.
Hmmm.
Wiseman's boss told reporters last week in Corner Brook:
“People need to understand government cannot write a cheque for everything,” said Williams. “We can’t be all things to all people.”
“On the other hand, even in poor times, we have tried to do the best we could for people who were, for lack of a better term, in poorer positions.”
Uh huh.
How exactly are we supposed to reconcile those two positions?
Well, on the one hand...
But, on the other hand...
Bet this elderly gentleman and his wife don't feel like he's been getting a hand at all.
A finger maybe, but certainly not the whole hand.
-srbp-