Nanaimo family seeks transfer due to concerns about quality of care at long-term facility
A family claims it’s concerned for their loved one in a Nanaimo-based long-term care facility as they work with staff and Island Health to resolve some of their complaints.
“She’s just a totally changed person,” says the woman’s sister, Leah Vallance. “I didn’t think she was that fearful. She’s just had so many things happen to her.”
Vallance and her niece, Alison Baillie, helped their family member transition into long-term care at Wexford Creek Seniors Community in late December 2023. Soon into her stay, Karen’s family alleges they brought forward a number of complaints surrounding the quality of her care – including multiple moves causing distress.
“My mom was given medication that was crushed, which shouldn’t have been crushed, which caused her to be sedated,” Baillie says. “While she was sitting down, she fell and hit her head.”
A high-ranking executive with the operating company of Wexford Creek didn’t respond directly to each of the allegations. Park Place Seniors Living issued a broader statement instead.
“At Wexford Creek Seniors Community (Wexford Creek), we are committed to addressing all concerns with seriousness and diligence,” says the vice-president of operations, Kathy Nduwayo.
“Myself, the VP of operations, and our VP of Quality/Chief Nursing Officer have conducted joint meetings with Vancouver Island Health and the family on two occasions to address specific concerns,” says Nduwayo. “Our action plans have been reviewed by the licensing officer and found to be in compliance.”
According to the Office of the Seniors Advocate’s 2024 monitoring report, Island Health has the highest number of complaints in long-term care received by licensing offices for the fiscal year ending in 2023.
The report notes 237 complaints were received. For every 1,000 beds 10.7 complaints are substantiated compared to the provincial average of 4.6. Overall, Island Health’s number of substantiated complaints are down 30 per cent from 2018/19.
“We take every complaint seriously,” says the province’s health minister, Adrian Dix. “We know there’s going to be more demand for long-term care and we’ve taken real steps to improve these complaint processes and improve the power of families – and we can always make more. We review every case with that in mind.”
Karen’s family suggests the complaint system is a complicated burden.
“Island Health: You’re going in circles from this person to that person,” says Baillie.
The family is asking to transfer Karen to another facility.
Island Health says it’s slated to happen – without adding how soon.
“Island Health recognizes the importance of residents being able to live in their preferred facility, and the ability to be close to their family members,” says a statement from the health authority. “Island Health works to accommodate preferences for facilities as much as possible, however it is challenging due to demand and availability of long-term care beds.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
U.K. prime minister calls national election for July 4
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak called a national election on Wednesday, naming July 4 as the date for a vote his governing Conservatives are widely expected to lose to the opposition Labour Party after 14 years in power.
Woman found dead in Lake Ontario in 2017 matches identity of missing person in Switzerland
Genetic genealogy has helped Toronto police identify a woman who was found dead in Lake Ontario in 2017.
Fish oil supplements may raise risk of stroke, heart issues, study suggests
As an excellent source of heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids, daily fish oil supplements are a popular way to keep the risk of cardiovascular disease at bay.
Private island on Nova Scotia's South Shore listed for $15.8M
A private island on Nova Scotia’s South Shore has been listed for sale with a $11.5-million USD price tag.
DEVELOPING Blood vial delivery prompts evacuation of Republican headquarters in Washington
The headquarters of the Republican National Committee in Washington, D.C., was briefly evacuated on Wednesday morning after a suspicious package containing two vials of blood was delivered to the building, the police said.
'Happy tears' of victim's sister after prison attack on serial killer Robert Pickton
Cynthia Cardinal said she was 'overwhelmed' with happiness when she received a text message on Monday with the news that serial killer Robert Pickton, who murdered her sister, was attacked in prison. She called it 'karma.'
Montreal photographer captures dramatic Canada goose vs. fox fight on video
A Montreal photographer captured the moment a Canada goose defended itself from a fox at the Botanical Garden.
'On the edge of failing': Most of Canada gets a 'D' on poverty report cards
Poverty and food insecurity have worsened in most of Canada in the past year and most provincial governments aren't doing enough to address the problem, according to a just-released series of report cards.
World's most expensive feather sells at New Zealand auction
A feather from a long-extinct New Zealand bird has set a record after selling for $46,521 NZD (about US$28,400), the auction house handling the sale has said.