The province ignored the recommendations to make from Saskatchewan. safer long-term care for seniors: opposition

Rose Botting, a resident of Saskatoon, attended the session. Her late mother, Frances Sander, then 82, fell in her bedroom at her residence at Rose Villa Care Center in Rosetown in April 2018.

According to a report released in August by the provincial ombudsman, Sander was assessed upon admission as being at high risk for falls. She fell and was found next to her bed on her first night there.

Hundreds of seniors have died in appalling conditions in long-term care facilities, and this government has not learned a single lesson.– Matt Love, Official Opposition Critic for Seniors

Five days later, she fell again and was found both bleeding and unconscious on her bathroom floor. She was taken to hospital where she died three days later.

Ms Botting told reporters on Tuesday that she wanted to make sure seniors are safe in Saskatchewan long-term care homes.

“I hope that care for the elderly is more of a priority,” she said. “We need standards for elderly care… we need training, we need funding. We need staff. I don’t expect this to happen overnight, but I ‘would really like to see some movement. ”

Ombudsman recommendations

The ombudsman’s report on the case called for further action to protect seniors in long-term care, including a recommendation that the Saskatchewan Health Authority develop and implement an “investigation process and province-wide unique adverse health event reporting ”.

The report says the investigation process should clearly identify the notification, reporting and investigation requirements and processes for all special care homes and other facilities operated by the SHA.

However, the NDP says the province has taken no action to provide additional protection.

“We know this government has ignored the experts for years, and this is especially true in the area of ​​long-term care,” said Matt Love, official opposition spokesperson for seniors, during the period. questions.

“Report after report from oversight bodies like the Auditor and the Ombudsman provide a roadmap on how to make long-term care safer in Saskatchewan. Their recommendations were ignored. We still do not inspect or report on conditions in long term care.

“Hundreds of seniors have died in appalling conditions in long-term care facilities, and this government has not learned a single lesson.

Everett Hindley, Minister of Seniors and Rural and Remote Health, responded that work is underway to make long-term care homes safer for Saskatchewan seniors.

“There are a number of areas where we need to improve… previous recommendations, whether it’s from the auditor or the ombudsman’s office… these are being implemented,” said Hindley.

“I understand that work is well advanced on implementing these recommendations following this particular critical incident. And I would expect that to be done as quickly as possible.”

Hindley says a new long-term care home inspection process will soon be piloted and announced in a number of communities. He says the province will provide details in the coming days.