The provincial New Democrats plan to introduce legislation that would keep senior couples together in long-term care, if elected on October 14th.

Leader Jim Dinn made the announcement in St. John’s this morning, saying he has heard countless stories of couples who have spent the majority of their lives together being separated when they enter long-term care.

Dinn says their legislation would allow for couples to be placed together, based on the highest level of care needed by one of the partners.

If one person moves into the care facility first, then their partner will be given priority to enter the same home once they require care.

While couples may not be placed together immediately, Dinn argues it will reassure them that they will be placed together as soon as a bed opens up.

In terms of building new long-term care facilities, Dinn says his focus is on keeping people in their homes as long as possible.

He says they will build if necessary, but his priority is finding ways to keep seniors in their homes as long as possible.