Manitobans supportive of funding significant changes to improve long-term care, survey shows
Manitobans and people across the country want major improvements in long-term care, according to the results of an online survey.
The findings by the Angus Reid Institute released Monday, highlight how COVID-19 deaths and infections during the pandemic have shifted people’s views of nursing homes.
“And now I said to my kids, please don’t ever put me in a personal care home. We’ve got to figure out something different unless things change,” said Lisa Prost.
Prost’s dad, 91-year-old Murray Balagus, survived a COVID-19 infection but died in hospital in January due to what the family was told was aspiration pneumonia. Prost said he was rushed to hospital after she found him foaming at the mouth and gurgling in his room at the care home.
“It was so heartbreaking, everything that he went through,” said Prost. “Just brings back tears and I can feel my blood pressure going up and it’s just so hard to believe that happened.”
Prost is now part of a group fighting for improvements in the system and they have the support of the majority of Canadians, according to the Angus Reid survey.
“If there is a lingering darkness it is what happened in long-term care facilities across the country,” said Shachi Kurl, president of the Angus Reid Institute.
It conducted an online survey of 1,503 Canadians in March. Seventy-three per cent of respondents in Manitoba said an overhaul or significant changes are needed, while six per cent say few or no changes are needed.
“Manitobans will certainly be looking for answers from the Pallister government as well people in every province looking to their provincial government saying, ‘Okay what are you going to do about this?’” said Kurl.
A review into the COVID-19 outbreak at Maples care home was commissioned by the province and identified staffing issues as a concern.
The province said in a statement on Monday it has committed to implementing 17 recommendations in an ensuing report to make improvements at all 125 care homes in the province.
In the survey, respondents across the country identified more inspections, enforcement of standards and an increase in the minimum number of staff required to be on duty as their top concerns.
The majority of respondents in every region said more money should be spent on keeping people in their own homes longer. But a significant minority of respondents in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and Atlantic Canada don’t think in-home care could be expanded enough and feel the money would be better spent on long-term care facilities.
As visits resume and restrictions ease, Laurie Cerqueti, CEO of the Saul and Claribel Simkin Centre, hasn’t forgotten about the grief and challenges faced by residents, families and staff.
Cerqueti said while care homes had been pushing for change prior to COVID-19, the pandemic has also highlighted where additional government funding is needed.
She cited additional staffing as a key area.
“Not just more nurses and health-care aides but more recreation staff,” said Cerqueti. “More OT (occupational therapy) and physio (therapy), more social work and spiritual care. We need more staff to be able to support our residents in general.”
Forty-four per cent of respondents to the Angus Reid survey said they “dread” the thought of living in long-term care and 47 per cent said they want to do everything they can to avoid long-term care.
Prost said it’s comforting to know other people want improvements. More than half of respondents said they’re willing to support those changes through an increase in their taxes.
“There’s so much that needs to change,” said Prost. “So that people, when they get older, they know where they’re going and they know they’re going to be cared for.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.
Keeping these exotic pets is 'cruel' and 'dangerous,' Canadian animal advocates say
Canadian pet owners are finding companionship beyond dogs and cats. Tigers, alligators, scorpions and tarantulas are among some of the exotic pets they are keeping in private homes, which pose risks to public safety and animal welfare, advocates say.
BREAKING Man wanted in connection with deadly shooting in Toronto tops list of most wanted fugitives in Canada
A 35-year-old man wanted in connection with the murder of Toronto resident 29-year-old Sharmar Powell-Flowers nine months ago has topped the list of the BOLO program’s 25 most wanted fugitives across Canada, police announced Tuesday.
Prince William and wife Kate thank public for birthday messages for son Louis
Prince William and his wife Kate thanked the public for their messages which had been sent to mark the sixth birthday of their youngest son Louis on Tuesday.
She was the closest she'd ever been to meeting her biological father. Then life dealt her a blow
Anne Marie Cavner was the closest she'd ever been to meeting her biological father, but then life dealt her a blow. From an unexpected loss to a host of new relationships, a DNA test changed her life, and she doesn't regret a thing.
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Fire engulfs old Edmonton municipal airport hangar
A historical hangar at the former Edmonton municipal airport beside the NAIT main campus was on fire Monday night.
Soft skills, preparation can help new graduates land jobs, experts say
As new graduates enter the workforce over the next few weeks, they are likely to face challenges getting their foot in the door and must be prepared to effectively communicate what they bring to the company.
RCMP uncovers plot to sell drones and equipment to Libya
The RCMP says it has uncovered a ploy to sell Chinese drones and military equipment to Libya illegally.