The number of long-term care home deaths across Canada is climbing and families are not just worried about the virus, but also the quality of care residents are receiving. Some say they feel helpless as they cannot visit or help loved ones.
At least five coronavirus deaths have been seen at the West Park Long-Term Care home in Toronto, according to CBC News. The home is managed by Extendicare and has seen ten residents and 14 staff test positive for coronavirus. Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s mother-in-law is one of the homes residents.
On Monday, Ford said, “It breaks my heart watching [my wife] Karla stand outside the window in tears, and there's thousands of families in the same position, wishing they could jump in there and help their loved one in there.”
One woman who lives in the home—and wished to remain anonymous—said that basic needs are not being met during the outbreak. The home houses 200 senior residents.
“It's a crisis here. It's terrible,” she said, “People are in their wet clothes since last night ... I've never … ever seen it like this so bad.”
She said workers at the home need any help they can get.
“I screamed for an hour and a half for help last night. Nobody came,” she added. “There's one nurse that does two whole floors [and] 120 residents ... how are you going to take care [of] meds for 120?”
The woman said that sometimes there is only one personal support worker caring for 20 residents, and usually one nurse for about 40. She added that the home usually has three times that amount of staff.
“I [feel] so guilty,” she said. “I need help, too, but other people need it just as much — even worse … It breaks my heart because they're just totally helpless.”
West Park Long-Term Care Home executive director, Matt Lamb said that the home will now be testing all residents for coronavirus—likely adding more positive cases to the total.
“We are deeply saddened by the loss of these residents,” Lamb said to CBC in a statement. “Regrettably, we anticipate that we may experience more loss before the pandemic is over.”
Lamb added that the home is taking infection control measures to keep the spread of the virus under control and extra staff have been brought in to help care for residents.
“Our staff at West Park Long-Term Care Centre, with the support of our colleagues at Extendicare Assist, have been going to extraordinary lengths to continue to provide quality care for our residents under difficult circumstances.”
West Park is being managed by one of the largest long-term care home chains in Canada, called Extendicare. The company manages and owns around 118 homes spread across the country.
The resident at the home noted that staff, who are "working really hard" need help as they "cant’ keep up."
"We're being neglected here."
"Extendicare, they've got the money," she added. "Hire a dozen more workers, at least until this outbreak is over."
"I'm not going to buy any excuse from them whatsoever."
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