Patrick Connors: 'I am absolutely disappointed with this whole shooting match.' (CBC)

An elderly St. John's man whose campaign for improved home-care services touched a nerve several months ago says the latest Newfoundland and Labrador budget accomplishes nothing.

Patrick Connors, 78, spoke out in February about not being able to afford home care for his ailing wife, Shirley Connors. CBC News stories on the couple's plight sparked a political debate about the quality — and budget — of home care.

Last week's provincial budget forecast a surplus of $544 million and included a bevy of improvements for social programs. However, no changes have yet been made to improve access to home care.

Connors said he and his wife are still in the same dire spot.

"What can I say? What can I do? I'm just absolutely disappointed with this government," Connors said.

"I am absolutely disappointed with this whole shooting match."

Connors said he was hoping that the government would amend its financial assessment rules, which Connors described as being hard-hearted and unrealistic.

"As it stands right now, my income is $2,100 a month and they want $1,100 of that," he said, explaining how much he's been told he would have to pay for home care. "You got to look at it that way."

The situation has left the couple of 55 years effectively housebound, as Connors cares for his wife's crippling arthritis. He said she requires so much care that he can only leave the house for about an hour at a time to buy staples like groceries.

"I am here in this home 24-7. My wife can't even get herself a cup of tea," he said.

"This is how bad things are right here."

Health Minister Ross Wiseman acknowledges the current financial assessment policy is not working, and that it forces people to pay too much.

Wiseman said, though, it will take several months to put changes in place.

"I know it won't happen at least until the fall, but I wouldn't want to be held to a fall release of something," Wiseman said.