New proposed long-term care standards call for better staffing, more direct care
New standards for long-term care homes are being rolled out across Canada in an attempt to avoid a repeat of the tragedies that unfolded during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Non-profit group Health Standards Organization created a set of voluntary guidelines, which were released on Tuesday.
During the pandemic, thousands of elderly residents died alone in understaffed care homes, while others lived in homes with substandard conditions and were unable to receive the care needed.
“What we've done is looked at the evidence, met with experts and talk to almost 19,000 people across Canada about long-term care, what it should be, what it is today, and what we need to do to fix it,” said Joyce Kristjansson, the chair of the Manitoba Association of Residential Care Homes for the Elderly, who was involved with the writing of the report.
Kristjansson said five areas were identified as needing reform - improving the care experience, having enough staff, improving communication, safety in the sector and better governance.
One of the recommendations in the report includes at least four hours of direct care a day for residents. Kristjansson said Manitoba currently provides 3.2 hours of direct care on average, below its target of 3.7 hours.
She said the increased care would make a huge difference for people.
“When I met and talked with residents across the country as part of this process, what I heard from them was they missed having somebody to take that extra five minutes to chat. They missed having someone care about them, having somebody take the time beyond moving forward,” she said. “I remember one resident saying to me, ‘Mealtimes are so hard. I'd like to sit and chat, but I know that the staff are super busy trying to feed people who can't feed themselves. They don't have time to even say something nice to me other than in passing when they're dropping off my food.’”
Eddie Calisto-Tavares, an advocate for seniors’ care in Manitoba, lost her father in a COVID-19 outbreak at the Maples Personal Care Home.
She says a culture change is needed inside long-term care homes.
“The only way they are going to be implemented across the border is if there's accountability,” she said. “One of the things that families voice- which I'm sort of leading - is that we need a place where families can go, when the suggestion is an independent seniors advocate with an independent communication, a person or people that are accountable to that office to make sure that those standards are being implemented, and also problem solve when they're not too big.”
Calisto-Tavares added basic standards, like cleaning and infection protection, should have been there all along.
“That’s why we had the disaster we had during the pandemic, because they were not being implemented.”
In a prepared statement from the province to CTV News Winnipeg, the government said it is "committed to the development of a new seniors strategy, which will be released in the coming weeks.
"Our government engaged in consultations with Manitobans including seniors, caregivers, stakeholders and families of seniors to inform short- and long-term plans for Manitoba seniors," a spokesperson said.
The government said it accepted the findings and recommendations in the Stevenson Report and noted the HSO and CSA Group's Long-Term Care Standards are being considered for Manitoba's "modernization efforts" of care home standards.
The full report can be viewed here.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
BREAKING Suter scores late goal, clinches series for Canucks
The Vancouver Canucks are moving on to the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
Quebec man who threatened Trudeau, Legault online sentenced to 20 months in jail
A Quebec man who pleaded guilty to threatening Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier François Legault has been sentenced to 20 months in jail.
Human remains found in rural Sask. possibly a decade old, RCMP say
RCMP say human remains found in a rural area in central Saskatchewan may have been there for a decade or more.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.