Peachland, BC, resident Rick Kaminski is demanding answers after his mother Florence’s care home in Calgary saw unexpected price increases. .“I was disgusted at how they charged the bills,” said Rick in an interview. .“They charge for every moment my mom spends with a caregiver.” . Revera EvergreenRevera Evergreen .Rick said Florence was staying in a different assisted living facility for four years, but it was becoming a liability for it to keep her because of her dementia. Florence had to be moved fast, so he put her in Revera Evergreen in 2021 because of its proximity to his brother’s place. .He negotiated for her to stay at Revera for $2,800 per month. He requested a copy of the fee structure, but Revera refused to give it to him because it's a private facility and competitive industry. .The contract said the landlord could increase the hospitality, care theme, and optional service fees at any time as long as 90 days written notice was provided. It said there's no notice period required for adding or increasing a care service should a resident’s needs change. .If it's determined by healthcare workers the resident has a change in needs and requires more support, the contract said the landlord will notify his or her caretaker in writing and by telephone to set up a care conference. It said if the caretaker cannot be reached to set up a care conference after one month, the landlord will begin charging the increased fees. . Facility contractPart of the contract Rick Kaminski signed for Florence when she moved into Revera Evergreen. .The living arrangements were going fine until Rick received an email in May outlining how the facility planned on doubling his mother’s fees to $5,600 per month. He was ordered to pay $9,000 in back billing. .The largest expense on the bill was accommodation and hospitality fees at $2,850. Florence required $1,171 worth in continence assistance, and $351 each for morning and evening assistance. .Rick alleges he never received a phone call, but an email was sent him. The email said the charges were effective that day. .He was in Calgary from December to April and saw his mother at the home multiple times. He said there were no discussions during this time about raising her fees. .This experience alarmed him, so he met with the head nurse to express his concerns with the price increase. He was told by the head nurse Revera’s owner, the Public Sector Pension Investment Board, sent in auditors to look at the facility’s books. .Auditors said the facility was not charging enough and sent out 22 notices to reflect the new fees they were directed to impose. The assessment saw Florence charged for expenditures her son did not have to pay for before. .She was being charged for showers. The facility set a baseline rate for 10-minute showers and have three tiers of care above where they can charge more, with his mother being in the highest bracket. .Rick said she was being charged for staff speaking to her. He added ambulatory care included putting glue on her dentures. . Facility billThe bill Rick Kaminski received from Revera Evergreen with almost $9,000 in charges. .His largest issue with this ordeal is prices went up while the occupancy of his mother’s ward doubled. Revera added half a shift to address the increase. .Each caregiver is in charge of about 12 dementia patients. Rick contacted the Alberta Health Services to find out what the minimum standards of care are for an assisted living facility, but it said it has minimal oversight because it is a private entity. .Revera faced a $25-million class action lawsuit in 2020 over a COVID-19 outbreak at the McKenzie Towne Continuing Care Centre in Calgary, alleging the company was negligent and did not follow proper protocols. .The COVID-19 outbreak claimed 21 lives and saw 62 residents and 44 staff members test positive. Two residents and a staff member at a retirement home across the street tested positive. .The application by James H. Brown and Associates and Guardian Law Group, filed on behalf of lead plaintiff Marijke Laberge, seeks damages for residents of the home and their immediate family members who contracted COVID-19..Rick said he ended up paying the full bill because he was locked into a contract. He is looking into moving Florence into another facility. .“They got me in, and they hit me with their secretive charges afterwards,” he said..Revera officials didn't comment despite numerous requests.
