Elder Advocates seeks long-term care rules review

A campaign for a review of the rules governing Alberta’s long-term care system will be launched tomorrow at an event in Edmonton.

Minister of Seniors Sarah Hoffman, also health minister, has been invited to the meeting, which is being held by the Elder Advocates of Alberta Society .

The theme of the campaign for review of the field’s “labyrinth” of legislation and practices is Resolution NOT Retribution in Long-Term Care.

“As a result of ‘quality-of-care’ concerns, for many Albertans in long-term continuing care the Alberta Health Charter promises of ‘client-centred care’ and ‘family as part of the care team’ are being broken,” states an Elder Advocates release.

“Apparently for the sake of bureaucratic expediency, families face removal of decision-making authority, forced eviction, visiting restrictions/limitations, outright banning -- even legal action –- when questions are raised.”

According to the organization, occurrences at Alberta long-term care facilities, despite legislated safeguards, have included:

·      A woman being restricted from visiting her parents for more than 2,000 days.

·      Raising of medical care concerns by a family being followed by the needless transfer of one of its members from the stability of her long-term care bed to an acute-care hospital bed.

·      An Alberta man having access restricted to his 101-year old mother who requested that he visit during her final days, and being permanently banned from all Alberta Health Services facilities across the province.

Personal perspectives of affected families, will be presented at the event.

It will take place at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, November 18 at the Old Timers’ Cabin, 9034 Scona Rd. Elder Advocates chair Ruth Adria will be the moderator.

Other invited participants are Drew Barnes, MLA Cypress-Medicine Hat, Opposition Health Critic; Tany Yao, MLA Fort McMurray-Wood Buffalo, Opposition Seniors’ Critic; and Edmonton lawyer Allan Garber.

Beginning in the 1980s, Elder Advocates has worked to help older Albertans dealing with a variety of issues including abuse and neglect in care institutions, the Alberta Guardianship and Trusteeship Act and age-based driver screening.

Further information is available at www.elderadvocates.ca.