Long Term Care
The Department of Health has implemented significant changes to the way long term care is funded and how residents pay for long term care. These and other program changes were launched on January 1, 2005 to promote independence, fairness, equity, and choice for people who require long term care.
Residents who live in nursing homes, residential care facilities, and community-based options under the Department of Health's mandate are no longer required to pay for their health care costs. As well, residents no longer have to use their assets to pay for their long term care accommodation costs.
A full list of legislation, policies and guidelines for long-term care facilities is available below. The complete Long-term Care Policy Manual and individual policies are available to download.
Inventory of Legislation, Policies, Guidelines for Long-term Care
The following legislation, policies and guidelines are standards in the long-term care sector. The Department of Health, Continuing Care Division supports owners and operators of long-term care facilities by creating policies and monitoring standards in the sector to ensure that there is a consistent quality of care provided to long-term care residents. Owners, operators and staff of long-term care facilities must be in compliance with the following legislation, policies and standards.
- Legislation and Regulations
- Policies and Procedures
- Standards and Guidelines
- Links
- Additional Information
Legislation and Regulations
The following legislation informs owners, operators and long-term care staff and clients of their obligations and rights by law. Legislation includes:
- Adult Protection Act (1989)
- Employment Support and Income Assistance Act (2000)
- Environment Act (1995)
- Fire Safety Act (2002)
- Homes for Special Care Act (also under the Dept. of Community Services)(1989)
- Homes for Special Care Regulations (1977)
- Occupational Health and Safety Act (includes Violence in the workplace regulations)
- Protection of Persons in Care Act proclaimed in force October 1, 2007
- Rehabilitation and Social Development Approval and Assistance Regulations
- Safer Needles in Healthcare Workplaces Act (2006)
- Smoke-free Places Act (2002) amended 2005
- Social Assistance Act (1989)
Policies and Procedures
The following policies and procedures outline program policies that affect owners, operators and long-term care staff and clients.
Long-term Care Policy Manual
- All policies (PDF)
- Service Eligibility (PDF - Revised Dec 1, 2006)
- Resident Charge (PDF - Revised November 1, 2009)
- Facility Placement (PDF - Revised July 1, 2008)
- Facility Based Respite (PDF - Revised November 1, 2009)
- Resident Trust Accounts (PDF - Revised May 1, 2009)
- Specialized Equipment Program (PDF - Revised July 10, 2009)
- Guidelines Specialized Equipment Program (PDF - Revised July 10, 2009)
- Over Cost Fund (PDF - Revised February 22, 2008)
- Under 65 Drug Coverage (PDF - Effective date Apr 1, 2005)
- Special Needs Policy (PDF - Dec 01, 2008)
- Service Decisions Review (PDF - Revised Dec 1, 2006)
- Financial Decisions Review (PDF - Approved on May 30, 2005)
Additional Policies
- Educational Requirement for Entry to Practice (PDF)
- Refusal of Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation in Residential Care Facilities (PDF)
Home Oxygen Policies, Guidelines and other Information
- Home Oxygen Services, Procedures & Guidelines (PDF)
- Home Oxygen Service - Designated Physician List (PDF)
- Home Oxygen Service - Approved Vendor List 2007-09 (PDF)
Infection Prevention and Control
- Partners for Infection Control Guidelines Manual (PDF: 398 Pages : 162MB)
- Guide to Influenza Long-term Care (PDF)
- Infection Control Guidelines for Community Based Options & Residential Care Facilities (PDF)
- Infection Prevention and Control Best Practices for Long Term Care, Home and Community Care by the Canadian Committee on Antibiotic Resistance (PDF)
Policies for New and Replaced Long Term Care Beds under Service Agreements
- Protected Envelope Funding Policy (PDF)
- Unprotected Envelope Funding Policy (PDF)
- Capital Renewal Reserve Policy (PDF)
- Start Up Cost Policy (PDF)
- Additional Space Approval Policy (PDF)
- Replaced Facility Disposal Policy (PDF)
Note: These policies only apply to:
(1) new beds awarded through Request for Proposal RFP#:NUM60131638 and Request for Proposal RFP#: NUM60130972;
(2) the 10 replacement facilities for 2010/11 (identified under O.I.C 2008-575); and
(3) the 40 bed addition at Bayside Guest Home.
Standards and Guidelines
The following standards and guidelines inform owners, operators and staff of long-term care facilities of their responsibility to provide a safe environment for long-term care residents.
Individual Standards
- CSA Standard Z31713.03 Infection Control during Construction or Renovation of Health Care Facilities (Canadian Standards Association - available for purchase online)
- Nursing Home Building Maintenance Standards (PDF)
- Interim Standards- Community Based Options Program (PDF)
Links for Employers in Long-term Care
The following links will inform employers in the long-term care sector about the scopes of practice for Continuing Care Assistants (CCA), Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) and Registered Nurses (RN).
- LPN Scope of Practice (PDF)
- RN Scope of Practice (PDF)
- Continuing Care Assistant (CCA) Scope of Practice (PDF)
Additional Information
Licensing
- Nursing Homes and Homes for the Aged Licensing Document (PDF)
- Residential Care Facilities Licensing Document (PDF)
Program Information
- Entering Long-term Care (PDF)
- Paying for Long-term Care (PDF)
- Respite Care in Nova Scotia (PDF)
- Specialized Equipment for Long-term Care Residents (PDF)
Privacy Breach Policy
- General Info (PDF)
- Policy & Procedures (PDF)
Primary Health Care/Medical Services in Long-term Care Facilities Draft Recommendations (PDF)