Seniors advocate blasts care homes, province over requests for families to help look after loved ones
CBC
A seniors' advocate is criticizing the Manitoba government and two care homes after the facilities wrote residents' families this week outlining a worst-case scenario should they experience staffing shortages when vaccine requirements for care home workers kick in.
Salem Home in Winkler and Tabor Home in nearby Morden sent out near-identical letters on Tuesday and Thursday.
They detail contingency plans that encourage family members to come care for their loved ones in the event of a staffing shortage, which could happen as early as Monday when the mandates take effect.
Among other duties, volunteers would be asked to feed, clean, dress and brush the teeth of residents, do laundry and plan activities. Families are also asked to consider pulling their loved ones out of facilities if staffing becomes a serious issue.
Health Minister Audrey Gordon said on Friday the letters were only meant to make families aware of a possible contingency.
Lawyer Laura Tamblyn-Watts said expecting people without training to provide care in such a case is untenable and needs to be addressed by the province.
"Those contingency plans are both shocking and irresponsible," said Tamblyn-Watts, CEO of the national seniors' advocacy group CanAge.
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