The province’s Seniors’ Advocate is calling for a moratorium on the construction of any more long-term care facilities in Newfoundland and Labrador until the serious issues surrounding institutionalized care are adequately addressed.
Dr. Suzanne Brake was commenting in light of a shocking report prepared by the Canadian military, who were called in to help at five long-term care homes in Ontario.
Issues around staffing, policy and provision of care exist as the result of an institutionalized and medicalized system, according to Brake.
She says a more ideal situation revolves around home support services, but governments have gravitated to large institutions, which have been largely accepted by the public.
She says government is now promoting the construction of a new mental health institution, which will be a great improvement over the current Waterford Hospital, but she questions why another institution is needed when the ideal direction is smaller, more home-like settings.
Seniors’ Rights Advocate Thankful for Light Shined on ‘Well-Known’ Problems
A long-time senior’s advocate is relieved to see the military shine a light on the well-known problems in some privately-owned seniors facilities in the country.
Sharon Goulding-Collins is a member of Advocates for Seniors Rights and has been lobbying government to enact Lillian’s Law, which would increase staff ratios in long-term care facilities.
She says what the military report revealed is nothing new, but it appears to be getting the government attention needed.
She hopes that the problems exposed are not brushed off as unique to the COVID-19 situation. She indicates issues around staffing and care remain, and are not unique to areas like Ontario and Quebec.