News release

Nursing Home Security Deposits Eliminated

Health (to Jan. 2011)

Nova Scotia seniors and their families will no longer be required to pay security deposits before entering nursing homes.

"We promised to eliminate the burden on seniors and their families caused by security deposits and we have delivered," said Health Minister Maureen MacDonald. "It's another commitment we have kept to make life better for families."

The Department of Health announced today, Feb. 10, that effective immediately, nursing homes and residential care facilities licensed by the department will no longer be permitted to charge security deposits to residents.

In some nursing homes in the province, security deposit charges could range anywhere from $900 to $4,700, depending on the client's daily accommodation rate and whether the home requires a 30 day, 60 day or 90 day deposit.

The regulatory change prohibiting security deposits will require current security deposits to be refunded by April 12.

Ms. MacDonald said the change is not expected to have any impact on nursing home operators, because bad debt has not been a serious problem.

"Seniors welcome the elimination of security deposits in long-term care facilities," said Group of IX spokesperson Jack Hatcher. "They've been an unnecessary burden for years." The Group of IX represents seniors' organizations in the province.