Eligibility for Long-Term Care

Eligibility for Long-Term Care

To qualify for subsidized long-term care, an adult must have relatively urgent care needs that cannot be met in their current living situation with care from informal caregivers, home care services, community supports or alternative accommodations.

Generally, those who qualify for long-term care have “complex care needs.” This refers to adults who:

• have multiple disabilities or medical conditions that require professional nursing care, monitoring, or specialized skilled care (“clinically complex”);
• have moderate to severe cognitive impairment;
• are physically dependent - their medical needs require professional nursing care, and they need a planned program to retain or improve their functional ability; or
• have severe behavioural problems on a continuous basis.(1)

References

1. British Columbia, “Long-Term Care Services” at “Is this care right for me?,” online: <http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/accessing-health-care/home-community-care/care-options-and-cost/long-term-care-services>.

This information applies to British Columbia, Canada. Last reviewed for legal accuracy by Seniors First BC, February 2024.