Waterloo region seniors separated in long-term care pushing for right to remain together
CTV
After six decades of marriage, Shirley and Jim Potts spent the last year of Shirley’s life separated. Now Potts is trying to make sure the same thing doesn’t happen to others.
After six decades of marriage, Shirley and Jim Potts spent the last year of Shirley’s life separated.
“[I] hated it, just hated it,” Jim Potts says, becoming emotional. “And so did she.”
Because of her health, Shirley was moved from Fairview Mennonite Home in Cambridge – where Jim still lives – to a long-term care home 25 minutes away.
They tried to reunite for nearly a year before she passed away in February.
Now Jim is trying to make sure the same thing doesn’t happen to others.
He’s among several Waterloo region seniors putting pressure on the province to make Waterloo MPP Catherine Fife’s Bill 21, dubbed the ‘Till Death Do Us Part Act,’ a reality. The legislation would eliminate spousal separation in Ontario’s long-term care home system, ensuring couples have the right to remain together.
“I don’t want the cruelty to continue,” Fife says, speaking to CTV News Wednesday.
