An elderly Fort St. John couple is being moved into separate care homes, prompting outrage on social media.

The twist in this case, though, is the couple isn't actually angry, although some of the couple's family members are upset.

Len and Jean Copeland are long-time residents of the Peace region in northeastern B.C. Len, now 92, arrived on a train at age 13 and later helped build the Alaska Highway. Jean, now 91, was raised in the region and worked as a teacher.

They have been married for 70 years and are being moved into separate care facilities.

"These two have never been apart in those 70-plus years they've been together ... and now in [their] golden years our stupid [healthcare] system is gonna do just that," reads a Facebook post about the couple which has been shared over 3,000 times.

Hundreds of comments echo the outrage, but Len's elderly wife, Jean, says the frustration is misplaced.

Separate needs, separate care

She says Len has been dealing with Alzheimer's, which has advanced to a stage where she can no longer look after him. He is being moved into a specialized care unit in Fort St. John, while Jean will remain in the care facility the two have been sharing.

"I get help right here in my room through Northern Health," said Jean in an interview with Daybreak North host Carolina de Ryk. She added she is not personally ready to move into the more advanced care unit her husband will be living in.

"We would like to give a bouquet to Northern Health," said the couple's daughter, Vicki Hess. "They are not forcing my mother to go in. They are trying to do what's best and safe for my father. Mom can remain in her apartment where she is."

An elderly Fort St John couple is being moved into separate care homes, prompting outrage on social media. However, Jean Copeland says she isn't angry about having to live apart from her husband and this story doesn't need to go viral. 7:54

Some family members upset

Not everyone in the family is happy with the decisions being made. Among those expressing their anger online are some of the Copeland's other children and grandchildren.

"How is it that we aren't set up to accommodate couples that have been together this long???? So wrong. So,so, wrong," wrote daughter Marj Copeland on her Facebook page.

"They have never been apart and my Dad will be so lost without Mom ... I think there should be exceptions in cases like this."

When asked to comment for this story, Marj Copeland replied, "No comment other than Northern Health has failed our seniors terribly. It's disgusting."

Northern Health responds

Northern Health is unable to comment on specific cases, but spokesman Steve Raper said generally the health authority works with families to find care that best suits their needs.

"Sometimes the needs of spouses differ, but we work with them to meet their care needs the best we can within our service abilities and the care space we have available," he said.

Both Hess and her mother say they are happy with the care their family has received from Northern Health.

Hess said she's expressed her disagreement to other family members and wishes the Facebook posts would go away.

"I think it's just people not wanting to accept that our parents are growing old," she said. "You need to accept life as is."

Listen to an interview with Jean Copeland and Vicki Hess by clicking on the audio labeled: Family fights back against viral Facebook post saying elderly parents are being forced apart.

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