Latest news with #longtermcare
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Older Canadians: Never share these 5 things — doing so could backfire in ways you'll deeply regret
Older Canadians have a lot to keep an eye on as they age, from health concerns to financial planning to long-term care. But one risk that's often overlooked is the threat to their personal information. Sharing too much about your finances, legal matters or health, even with close friends or family, can leave you vulnerable to fraud, manipulation or unintended consequences. Here are five things you should never reveal unless you're speaking with a trusted professional, and the reasons why keeping them private matters. Don't Miss Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan 'works every single time' to kill debt, get rich — and 'anyone' can do it The Canadian economy is showing signs of softening amid Trump's tariffs — protect your wallet with these 6 essential money moves (most of which you can complete in just minutes) I'm almost 50 and don't have enough retirement savings. What should I do? Don't panic. Here are 6 solid ways you can catch up Your net worth or salary Older Canadians are considerably wealthier than the average citizen, with a median household net worth of $1.1 million in 2023 according to Statistics Canada. In comparison, couples with children under 18 had a median household net worth of $645K. This makes seniors a prime target for scammers, fraudsters and even opportunistic acquaintances. Criminals zero in on retirees and older Canadians because of their financial standing. According to the Ontario Provincial Police, seniors lost over $180 million to fraud in 2024, which is nearly one third of the total losses ($648M) experienced by all age cohorts nationwide. When others know the details of your financial situation, like your salary, savings or net worth, it can increase your exposure to theft, manipulation or financial abuse. To protect yourself, keep that information private unless you're working with a licensed financial advisor or another trusted professional. Passwords and other sensitive personal information Relying on family for tech support is common, but handing over your passwords, PINs or login details can put you at serious risk. Whether it's your banking credentials, Canada Revenue Agency account or even just your email password, sharing that access opens the door to mistakes, misuse or, in worst cases, exploitation. Cyber criminals often target seniors who may be less familiar with online security practices or new and creative scams. And once your personal information is out there, it's incredibly difficult to rein it back in. To stay safe, never share passwords unless it's absolutely necessary. The more tightly you guard your digital life, the less vulnerable you are to scams and identity theft. Power of attorney A power of attorney (POA) is a smart and necessary tool as you age. It allows someone you trust to manage your affairs if you're ever unable to do so yourself. But it's also one of the most commonly misused legal documents. Granting someone POA gives them broad authority to act on your behalf, which can include accessing your bank accounts, selling property or making medical decisions. And when that authority falls into the wrong hands, it can lead to serious financial harm or even elder abuse. According to Carefull, misuse of power of attorney is a leading method of financial exploitation among older adults. Even well-meaning family members can overstep, especially if they feel entitled to manage your affairs their way. To protect yourself, don't rush the process. Work with a qualified attorney to create a POA that clearly outlines limits and responsibilities. Only assign this role to someone you trust implicitly, and review the document regularly to ensure it still reflects your wishes. Read more: Here are — and very quickly regret. How many are hurting you? Details of your will Your will and estate plan contain some of your most sensitive information, from a full list of your assets to exactly who will receive what. In the wrong hands, those details can be used against you. Scammers may see your estate plan as a blueprint for potential fraud, while even close relatives might try to influence your decisions once they know what's at stake. In some cases, that pressure can turn into manipulation or financial abuse. In fact, Statistics Canada warns elders that abusers usually have some closeknit bond with their victims. "They can include your spouse, son or daughter, other relative, friend, neighbour, or caregiver. They use their connection to take advantage of you and force you do what they want." To avoid putting yourself in a vulnerable position, don't share the details of your will with anyone who doesn't need to know. Keep those conversations between you, your lawyer and your executor — and make sure everything is stored securely and updated regularly. Mental health or other health-related issues As we age, health issues involving memory or cognitive function can become more common. Unfortunately, this can also make older adults more vulnerable to exploitation. A study published in the National Institute of Justice Journal found that cognitive decline is closely linked to an increased risk of fraud. When others are aware of your mental health challenges, it can open the door to manipulation. This doesn't mean you should hide your health concerns. But it does mean you should be thoughtful about who you share them with. Stick to medical professionals and a small circle of trusted loved ones. Put protections in place, like legal safeguards and a medical power of attorney, to ensure your wishes are honored no matter what. Protecting your personal information is just as important as protecting your physical health or financial assets, especially as you get older. By keeping sensitive details private and working only with qualified professionals, you can safeguard your independence and avoid unnecessary risks down the line. 1. Statistics Canada: The assets, debts and net worth of Canadian families, 2023 (Oct 29, 2024) 2. X: Fraud targeting seniors accounted for more than $180M in financial losses across Canada in 2024, with the most common scams being service fraud, by Ontario Provincial Police (Jun 24, 2025) 3. Canadian Anti Fraud Centre: Recent scams and fraud 4. Carefull: How to Prevent Power of Attorney Abuse, by Cameron Huddleston (Jan 25, 2023) 5. Statistics Canada: What every older Canadian should know about: Financial abuse (May 7, 2025) 6. National Institute of Justice: Examining Financial Fraud Against Older Adults, by Rachel E. Morgan and Susannah N. Tapp (Mar 20, 2024) What To Read Next Are you rich enough to join the top 1%? Here's the net worth you need to rank among Canada's wealthiest — plus a few strategies to build that first-class portfolio Ramit Sethi says you should hit these 9 'money milestones' before 40 if you want to be rich — how many have you crossed off the list? Pet owners, here's how you can get up to 90% cashback on expensive emergency veterinary bills — and you can even get a free quote in 30 seconds This man from Toronto feels broke making $73,000 a year — his wife recently left him and he has an 18-month-old child. Here's what Dave Ramsey told him This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data


CTV News
4 days ago
- Health
- CTV News
Ground broken for new care home in Exeter
Members of south Huron council break ground in Exeter for new long-term care home. (Source: Municipality of South Huron) A long-term care home is bringing 160 beds to the community in Exeter. On Friday, members of South Huron council broke ground at the location of the future Southbridge Exeter long-term care home in Huron County. Ontario's Minister of Long-Term Care, Natasha Kusendova-Bashta, said the facility is part of the government's initiative to fix long-term care. 'Thanks to this investment, 160 residents will have a new, safe and modern place to call home,' said Kusendova-Bashta. By 2026, the home expects to welcome its first residents. The care home will bring five 32-bed resident home areas with dining areas, lounges, activity rooms and outdoor amenities. It will also offer 96 private rooms and 32 basic rooms. Ontario aims to bring 58,000 new and upgraded long-term beds across the province by 2028.


New York Times
5 days ago
- Politics
- New York Times
Trump's Immigration Crackdown Hits Senior Care Work Force
President Trump's immigration crackdown is beginning to strain the long-term care work force, raising concerns about how the effects could ripple across the nation's senior population. Providers that operate nursing homes and home care agencies say they have lost staff members as the Trump administration has moved to end deportation protections for hundreds of thousands of migrants with temporary legal status. Republican critics of those programs say that they have allowed migrants to stay longer than intended, and that ending them 'restores integrity' in the country's immigration system. But the long-term care industry already faces persistent challenges in recruiting workers. Providers say the reduction in staff could threaten the quality of services they are able to offer to the nation's senior population. Some said they would have to raise wages to attract more workers to fill positions, and they were set to pass on cost increases to people receiving care. The issue underscores the critical role that foreign-born workers play in the long-term care industry. Immigrants make up about 28 percent of the work force directly providing that care, according to an analysis of Census Bureau data from KFF, a health policy research group. In comparison, foreign-born workers account for about 19 percent of the entire U.S. civilian labor force. Katie Smith Sloan, the president of LeadingAge, an association representing nonprofit aging services providers, said the Trump administration's immigration policies were already starting to disrupt facilities across the country as providers moved to terminate some caregivers in recent weeks. She said some employees had stopped showing up at work out of fear for themselves and their families. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.

CTV News
5 days ago
- Health
- CTV News
Hospital patients to get temporary priority for long-term care in N.B.
For the next month, hospital patients waiting for a long-term care bed in New Brunswick will move to the top of the waitlist as Horizon Health Network tries to ease overcrowding at four of its regional hospitals. On Wednesday. New Brunswick's Minister of Social Development Cindy Miles approved a request Horizon Health Network made the day before to temporarily grant Horizon 'critical state admission prioritization status' at its hospitals in Fredericton, Saint John, Miramichi and Hartland. The protocol allows the health network to prioritize patients who no longer need acute care but are still in hospital — known as Alternative Level of Care (ALC) patients — and place them into long-term care once a bed is freed up. 'We do have beds available across the province,' Miles told reporters. 'The folks that are in hospital now are going to be prioritized for those beds.' Miles says the next step is making sure they don't end up in that same position. 'We want to give everyone the opportunity to be able to stay home as long as they can and not be waiting in hospital.' Horizon's hospitals in Fredericton, Saint John, Miramichi and Hartland have been operating above capacity and hospitals have been treating a record level of ALC patients at 40 per cent of its acute care beds. Horizon Health Network President and CEO Margaret Melanson said as of Wednesday, the number of ALC patients had dropped to 658 patients — down slightly from the record 667 from last week, but was still extremely high. That this is happening in July, and not when numbers typically peak, is also problematic, as hospitals need to have adequate beds in place for the upcoming flu season. 'Of these 658 patients, 368 could be discharged today if a long-term care bed were available,' said Melanson. 'This was not a decision we made lightly. However, it became clear that urgent action was required.' While the target is to see patients admitted to emergency departments moved to a bed within eight hours, Melanson says that currently, it's happening after an average of close to 20 hours. She says other patient units are overcapacity with patients in hallways, dining areas and other nontraditional spaces, calling it 'absolutely inadequate.' 'Some do not have a washroom facility,' she said. 'The patient would need to be taken to another location, and it is simply not the type of care or quality of care that is, I would say, ideal for any patient and have.' The provincial government approved a similar request from Horizon in January 2024. Back then, Melanson says Horizon was able to discharge 23 patients in Saint John and 52 in Fredericton. At the time, a new long-term care home had just opened in Fredericton, allowing the placement of more patients. Melanson says while it's difficult to say how many patients may be placed in long-term care this time, she is hopeful the numbers seen last time in Saint John — 23 patients — could be mirrored, with fewer patients in the Miramichi and Upper River Valley area. According to the province, nursing home admissions are normally done chronologically. However, during critical circumstances, the minister can, when requested by a regional health authority, prioritize admission of ALC patients waiting in hospital. When asked what the government's measure of success is in 30 days time, Miles said the measurement is going to be acute care. 'Our hospitals able to deliver the acute care that they need to be able to deliver,' Miles said. 'That's going to take some very, very collaborative ongoing conversations.' Families who understand the long wait In May 2023, Shelley Poirier's father, now 100-years-old, had a heart attack. He waited 17 months in a hospital until he was placed in a long-term care home. She said at first, her dad was okay being in hospital, but eventually it became difficult. 'We watched his mental health decline, too, right? He started to get … quite depressed,' she said. 'After such a long wait, he started to believe it was never going to happen.' According to the province, there are currently 1,093 people on the wait list for a long-term care bed in New Brunswick, with 483 people waiting in hospital. Poirier believes it's scary that the situation isn't getting any better, saying the focus shouldn't just be on hospitals and nursing homes, but the whole system. She estimates it took her father between five to six months to be assessed, noting how a neighbour is currently in hospital and finds himself in the same situation: waiting to be assessed. 'It's not just about the nursing homes and the hospitals — it's about the whole system,' she said. 'If we get more beds, where are the staff coming from?' Kelly Lamrock, New Brunswick's child, youth and seniors' advocate, says the problem has been foreseeable for a while and likened the problem to a financial deficit that governments have left for the next one. 'A growing number of patients are in acute care when they really need long-term care, and it's hurting those patients,' Lamrock said. 'It's destabilizing the urgent care system and putting everybody at risk. It is going to require some drastic action.' In March 2024, Lamrock released a report investigating senior care in New Brunswick. It outlined why an overhaul is needed to ensure the safety and viability of the province's long-term care system, warning if urgent action isn't taken, the cost to people's health and the bottom line would continue to spiral. Lamrock says there are things government can do. If they're trying to find placements, they need to make short-term investments to make patients' lives better. 'Making sure families have the financial capacity to visit often, making sure that you are providing short-term help for special care homes and others who might be able to take on different levels of care, if they were properly funded,' he said. Lamrock said there's also a need to empower frontline social workers treating people in home care. 'Even if the formula says this person makes too much money or this is too expensive, ask yourself: if we don't make the home a place a person can stay, what does that cost, versus somebody showing up at the acute care or urgent care hospital?' With Files from CTV's Laura Brown


CTV News
6 days ago
- Health
- CTV News
N.B. fast-tracking nursing home placements as hospitals struggle with overcrowding
Premier of New Brunswick Susan Holt speaks to media following the first ministers meeting in Saskatoon, Sask., Monday, June 2, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Liam Richards FREDERICTON — New Brunswick's premier is blaming a lack of long-term care space for serious overcrowding at four regional hospitals, as her government tries to fast-track patients out of those facilities and into nursing homes. Susan Holt said Thursday that hospitals are struggling as they take on patients who should be in long-term care. 'This isn't a surprise I think to New Brunswickers or to our government since we have seen over many years the challenges that hospitals have faced,' Holt told reporters during her monthly address in Fredericton. Holt's comments come in response to a request on Tuesday by the Horizon Health Network for the urgent transfer of patients in four hospitals to nursing homes. In a news release, Horizon CEO Margaret Melanson said more than 650 patients no longer require acute care in hospital but aren't healthy enough to be discharged. Calling the situation 'unsustainable,' Melanson said the number of patients across New Brunswick waiting for transfer to a long-term care facility is the highest on record. 'If enough long-term care beds were available in our communities today, we would be able to immediately discharge 360 of these patients,' she said. 'Roughly 40 per cent of all our acute-care beds are currently occupied by patients who have no medical reason to be in hospital.' Melanson called her request to the provincial government a 'measure of last resort.' In response, Social Development Minister Cindy Miles agreed on Wednesday to open a 30-day window for patients at four hospitals to jump the provincial nursing home wait-list and be fast-tracked into long-term care. The hospitals are the Saint John Regional Hospital, the Dr. Everett Chalmers Regional Hospital in Fredericton, the Upper River Valley Hospital in Hartland and the Miramichi Regional Hospital. Melanson told reporters on Wednesday that it's not clear how many hospital beds would be liberated over the next month by the government's move to prioritize some patients. 'It's difficult to say exactly how many because it depends on beds becoming available in these long-term care homes,' she said. 'Often they become available unfortunately when a patient passes away.' New Brunswick has 78 licensed nursing homes with 5,373 beds, along with 431 adult residential facilities offering care to about 7,600 residents. In 2018, the province launched a project to open 640 new nursing home beds; so far 460 have been created, and space for another 180 is under construction. Holt said that since her party was elected in October, the government has been working to bolster the long-term care sector and expand options such as home care to relieve pressure on the health system. 'The ideal situation is that people not find themselves in the hospital in the first place because they can get the care they need at home,' Holt said. 'We have been working … to get the right system and supports in place.' The premier said the number of seniors in the province waiting for care support at the beginning of the year was around 1,068. 'But as Horizon's call for crisis protocols reveals, there are more and more people in hospital right now waiting for the supports to return home or the ability to receive care in a long-term care facility,' she said. Holt said population growth in recent years has resulted in the number of people requiring care growing at a rate that outstrips the number of long-term care beds available. 'We are well behind the 8-ball and trying to play catch up,' the premier said. This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 17, 2025. — By Keith Doucette in Halifax