Elderly couple forced to live apart in separate nursing homes now reunited

An elderly Perth couple torn apart by Western Australia's aged care system will soon be reunited after a generous offer to keep the pair together.

The case has brought to light the legislation the state's elderly are subjected to, which doesn't prioritise care for married couples in the same residence.

Great-grandfather Alf Craster, 89, today discovered he'll soon be with his wife again, after he was separated from his wife Hetty for six months after 68 years of marriage.

The Crasters were torn apart due to a lack of beds at an Armadale facility.

The family was left speechless after a generous offer from Berrington Aged Care to keep the elderly couple together in their final years.

"I can't explain the feeling... we are incredibly grateful our parents have been given this opportunity," one of the Crasters' daughters told 9NEWS.

There's no provision within the aged care act to keep married couples together.

Capital funding for aged care facilities declined over recent years, but the Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt is urging providers building new facilities to prioritise rooms accommodating couples.

They are also encouraging more providers to build in WA, following a period where the population outgrew facility capacity.

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