Time is of the essence to bring in and enforce new long-term care standards: authors

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the federal government is talking to provinces and territories about new standards for the quality, design and operations of long-term care homes in Canada.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the federal government is talking to provinces and territories about new standards for the quality, design and operations of long-term care homes in Canada.

The Health Standards Organization released updated standards Tuesday that say residents should get at least for hours of direct care every day.

The standards from the panel of experts at the non-profit standards organization also say those who work in those residences must be paid more.

On Tuesday, the prime minister said he recognizes that long-term care falls under provincial jurisdiction, but all Canadians want to see seniors' care held to the highest standard possible.

Experts with the non-profit organization said the new standards will only be useful if the government puts them into practice and makes sure they are followed.

"These standards are only useful if they become the basis of enforcement and accountability measures, not only accreditation measures," said Dr. Samir Sinha, the chair of the technical committee that developed the updated standards.

The organization issued the updated guidance for operating care homes in light of the deadly and tragic toll the COVID-19 pandemic took on Canadian residents and their quality of life.