Ontario’s Long Term Care facilities have been severely hit by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Scarcely a day passes without the press exposing the inadequate staffing and equipment, the terrible conditions and the lack of space. LTC facilities are institutional residencies, both private and government where people who are no longer able to do ‘Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)’ are admitted. These ADLs are transferring, bathing, defecating, dressing, eating and suchlike. Intake is from senior residences and private homes where caregivers can no longer provide the intensive care needed. A surprising fact that came out of this was Govt LTC facilities were better managed than private ones. This is all the more surprising given that an average private facility costs $4,000 a month per resident while Govt facilities are free (they only deduct your normal social benefits). Why don’t people opt for Govt facilities you may ask. For two reasons; one is that the general impression is you are better looked after in private care if you can afford it (with the pandemic this is now debunked) and the second is that there is a waiting list for Govt care. I have been on several visits to private facilities and for visitors they look great. Guests at a small cost or sometimes gratis, can sit for meals with those they are visiting. The meals are nutritious, tasty and with daily changes. The common areas as well as private rooms are clean, well designed and well equipped. You are allowed with permission to tour the entire facility and be a part of the regular musical entertainment provided. On the surface all this is fantastic. When Covid hit the LTC homes and staff along with residents got hit with sickness and death, the prime minister sent in the soldiers to help. These were young, fit and willing volunteers, but a few of them also got affected. This is a report on what they conveyed of their experiences to the PM. CBC News Trudeau says military members saw 'extremely troubling' things in Ontario long-term care facilities https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/long-term-care-pandemic-covid-coronavirus-trudeau-1.5584960 Roland. Toronto.
