The Peace River Regional District has approved a rollback of steep fee increases tied to its Seniors Aging in Place program, following strong backlash from rural residents.
The update comes after seniors were hit with a 300 per cent jump in housekeeping fees, along with increases to meals and snow removal services.
The changes quickly drew concern from residents and families who said the new costs were unaffordable.
Under the housekeeping service, two cleaners currently visit every two weeks for two-hour sessions to assist seniors in their homes.
Now, the regional district has passed a bylaw that reduces those fees.
The original change would have raised housekeeping fees from $15 biweekly to $61.60, effective June 1, with just 10 days’ notice.
A total of 278 households are affected in Electoral Area D and parts of Area E, according to a staff report.
The revised proposal reduces housekeeping fees to $30 biweekly, easing some financial pressure on seniors. However, that is still double the original fee.
It also brings down meal service fees from $8.37 to $8, and snow removal fees from $80.34 to $40 per service, to a maximum of three plows per month.
The original increase was designed to meet a 25 per cent cost-recovery target for the program.
The updated approach focuses on improving affordability and accessibility for participants.
The Seniors Aging in Place program is intended to help residents aged 65 and older remain in their homes safely and independently, while also reducing pressure on long-term care waitlists.
CJDC-TV News has also learned PRRD Chair Leonard Hiebert reached out to Neal Snyders, who was featured in our initial report, following earlier coverage.
For Snyders, the rollback comes as welcome news. He says, “There is extra expenses when living in the country,” pointing to the lack of services in rural areas, including water, sewage and natural gas.
He adds the increase only added to existing financial pressures on seniors. “Pension can only stretch so far,” Snyders said.