‘Operating on fear’: Ottawa woman speaks out about impact of new nursing home law
Seniors are speaking out about the impacts of a new Ontario government bill aimed at freeing up bed space in hospitals by potentially moving patients far from their preferred destinations.
They say the bill is already taking a toll on many families.
Ontario’s Bill 7 means seniors can be placed in a home within 70 kilometres, even if it is not on their preferred list, or pay hundreds of dollars to stay in hospital. For an Ottawa woman, her family and caregiver, it means a move they did not want to make but felt they had no choice.
"Help," that is the message from Deana Henry, who recently moved from hospital to a long-term care home.
"We were operating on fear, and didn't have time to make decisions. The bed was offered at 1 on the Thursday and the decision had to be made," said Mary Sinclair, who has been Deana Henry’s caregiver for several years.
Extendicare West End Villa was not one of her preferred locations. However, Bill 7 – Ontario’s More Beds, Better Care Act, didn’t leave her much choice.
"If she didn’t take the bed that was offered here at West End Villa, she could be moved to a facility that was up to 70 km away from family and from me, and the family wasn't willing to accept that risk," Sinclair said.
Deana, 62, has Multiple Sclerosis and severe diabetes. A vocal advocate for seniors and people with complex medical needs, she strongly opposes the province’s new bill, but was unable to express herself on the day of this interview due to her condition.
"She has more pain, she's more stressed, more anxious, more frustrated," Sinclair said. "To hear her cry because she's in pain, and it's simply because of the move, it affects her physical and mental health."
Other advocates have also been highly critical of Bill 7.
"Not only is it unfair, it's immoral and I wish these politicians would spend a month in these long-term care homes and see what's going on. It's atrocious, it's an abomination and people deserve better than that in their dying days," said Lorraine Laframboise, a seniors' and vulnerable population advocate.
Laframboise spent over 20 years working and volunteering with seniors and vulnerable people. She’s worried now about what she calls a declining health care system, and what it means for her and her husband.
"Every day, we do not have children so our support system is our friends, and they're in their 70s, they won't be able to take care of us,” said Laframboise.
For those like Henry impacted already by the province's new plan, a call for action and change to a policy that has them feeling unheard and forgotten.
"She feels like a piece of furniture just being moved around, without concern about their physical, mental or emotional health," Sinclair said.
In a statement to CTV News, Ontario’s Ministry of Health and Long-term Care says the policy was designed to “free up hospital beds” and that “a hospital is not a home.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'They needed people inside Air Canada:' Police announce arrests in Pearson gold heist
Police say one former and one current employee of Air Canada are among the nine suspects that are facing charges in connection with the gold heist at Pearson International Airport last year.
Disappointment widespread over budget's proposed $200-month disability benefit funding
Advocacy groups across Canada are expressing widespread disappointment about the amount of funding earmarked in the 2024 federal budget for the long-awaited Canada Disability Benefit.
BREAKING Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter banned from NBA
Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter has been handed a lifetime ban from The National Basketball Association (NBA) following an investigation which found he disclosed confidential information to sports bettors, the league says.
Earthquake jolts southern Japan
An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 6.4 hit southern Japan late on Wednesday, said the Japan Meteorological Agency, without issuing a tsunami warning.
ArriveCan contractor to be admonished by MPs in extraordinarily rare parliamentary display
Enacting an extraordinarily rarely used parliamentary power, MPs have summoned an ArriveCan contractor to appear before the House of Commons on Wednesday afternoon to be admonished publicly for failing to answer their questions.
opinion Don Martin: Gusher of Liberal spending won't put out the fire in this dumpster
A Hail Mary rehash of the greatest hits from the Trudeau government’s three-week travelling pony-show, the 2024 federal budget takes aim at reversing the party’s popularity plunge in the under-40 set, writes political columnist Don Martin. But will it work before the next election?
Gas prices across Ontario expected to climb to levels not seen since 2022, analyst says
Ontario is going to see a big jump at the pumps later this week as gas prices in the province hit levels not seen in nearly two years, according to one industry analyst.
Ancient skeletons unearthed in France reveal Mafia-style killings
More than 5,500 years ago, two women were tied up and probably buried alive in a ritual sacrifice, using a form of torture associated today with the Italian Mafia, according to an analysis of skeletons discovered at an archeological site in southwest France.
Paul McCartney and John Lennon’s sons have released a single together
A new Lennon and McCartney collaboration is the last thing anybody expected.