The province has released its long-awaited report on long-term care and personal care homes. Former Senior’s Advocate Suzanne Brake first called for the review back in 2019, a call that was repeated by her successor, Susan Walsh.

The expert advisory panel that compiled the report says the COVID-19 pandemic amplified persisting challenges in continuing care across the country, and since that time the focus has been on improving services.

The report says the province’s health system has been slow to adjust to the evolving needs of a rapidly aging demographic, and acute care is not equipped to meet the needs of those who need supportive care. The report says there is a need for increased access to quality continuing care services. Local long-term and personal care homes are faced with increased demand, problems recruiting and retaining staff, a changing workforce and increasing calls for change.

Among the areas that need the greatest attention is a need to enhance dementia training and support for staff, residents, families and essential care partners in long-term care. The report also found that 18 of the 22 long-term care homes 30 years of age or older had a higher percentage of components that required renovation or replacement, in addition to inconsistent “home-like environments.”

Among the report’s 23 recommendations are to establish the quality of life as the number one priority, improve the quality choice and flexibility of meals, enhance and support the role of volunteers, establish meaningful activities and recreation programs, and support couples who want to remain living together.