Friday, January 26, 2018 – We have a crisis in long-term care in Canada.
“We are still using a model for long-term care that was developed decades ago even though the residential population has changed dramatically,” said Wanda Morris, VP of advocacy for CARP, a national advocacy association for older Canadians.
Morris issued a statement following a CBC news reports that staff abusing residents is up nearly 80% in Greater Toronto Area long-term care homes. This trend is reflective of what’s happening across the country.
“CARP has been calling for government action to safeguard our vulnerable elders. We need guaranteed minimum staffing levels, behavioral support training for all long-term care staff and, most importantly, a commitment to eradicate the scourge of resident harm in long-term care,” said Morris.
Residents with more care needs
According to the most recent provincial data, reports of resident-on-resident abuse rose 105 per cent in just six years, from 1,580 in 2011 to 3,238 in 2016.
Meanwhile, the prevalence of dementia increased from 56 per cent of residents in 2009-2010 to 63.1 per cent in 2016, according to the Ontario Long-Term Care Association, which says it represents 70 per cent of facilities in the province.
“Our frailest and most vulnerable elders are at risk of being victims of violence or chemically sedated,” said Morris.
CARP plans to make the following Long-Term Care recommendations to the Ontario provincial government and are working with governments across the country.
Mandatory Staffing Levels in Long-Term Care
The composition of long-term care has changed, and the number of residents with high to very high care needs has increased. The vast majority (90%) of long-term care residents have cognitive impairment, with one-third severely impaired. This isn’t the long-term care of the 1960s, and yet our model in terms of staffing levels has not changed. CARP calls on the government to implement mandatory staffing levels in long-term care to reflect this changing composition and better protect the frailest of the frail population.
CARP also calls for mandatory behaviour support training for Personal support workers who support patients with dementia.
CARP Members Want Mandatory Minimum Staffing Levels
CARP members strongly support regulation that provides specified staffing levels (for both medical and support staff) in long-term care. In a recent survey, 95% of respondents agreed or strongly agreed that the number of medical personnel present should be regulated based on the number of residents in any long-term care facility.
To become a CARP member and support advocacy for changes to long-term care, click here. CARP is a national advocacy association of 300,000 members fighting for improved healthcare, financial security, and freedom from ageism.
To learn more about CARP’s work to focus on resident safety in long-term care, click here.
