REGINA - For a second day, the issue of care home closures in Regina was a hot one at the Saskatchewan Legislature.
The opposition New Democrats were roasting the government in Question Period Thursday overclosures announced for Parkview Villa and Princess Villa on Tuesday, and for Precious Memories Villa last Friday which gave 72 hours notice to residents last Friday to move out.
The Opposition has compared it to the impending closure of Regina Lutheran Home, and have accused the government of not looking after seniors. Several family members were on hand at the legislature to raise the issue Wednesday, with concerns raised about the short notice and about the increased costs incurred in having to find a new place on such a short time frame.
In Question Period on Thursday, Minister for Seniors Tim McLeod noted these latest three closures were of privately run personal care homes, not long term care. He noted these three particular homes were run by Orange Tree Living.
“It’s a very important distinction to make that the personal care homes that are privately operated like Orange Tree are different than affiliates that are offering level three or four care like Regina Lutheran Home, like our SHA operated facilities. For the private care homes that offer level one or two care, they’re offering a private service to individuals, seniors primarily, who need that care. We have, in the city of Regina, my understanding is 71 of those care providers; about 50 per cent have vacancies currently.”
McLeod says he met with families and staff, and is concerned about what he has been hearing. He has pledged they would receive the government’s help in a smooth transition to a new care facility.
“I’ve met with the families and some of the staff yesterday and I heard their concerns. I was deeply concerned with some of the things that I heard, and we had a good conversation and I have tasked my staff to ensure the families and staff have the available resources that they need.”
As for concerns raised that these particular care homes might not have complied with certain provincial regulations or laws in the notice requirements, McLeod responded that the Ministry of Health is the regulator and it was his understanding that the licensees will fully comply with the terms of the Act.
If that hasn’t happened, they are fully committed that “appropriate steps are taken to either ensure compliance or discontinue the license.”
When speaking to reporters, Seniors Critic Matt Love remained critical of the handling of the whole issue by the government.
“What we see from the Sask Party government is that they seem to be quite OK with standing by while Saskatchewan seniors are kicked out of their homes. It’s become a track record with them with Regina Lutheran care home, now three private care home facilities, personal care homes, and in all instances this government has washed their hands of any responsibility.”
Love said their expectation is that province “should have responsibility over homes that legislation covers. Legislation covers personal care homes. They are required to follow the rules… if this government cared about the things that these individuals have come to share in their legislature, then the Sask Party government could have supported our Seniors Bill of Rights in the past. They chose not to, but that was something we brought forward in previous sittings that would’ve offered some protections in this exact circumstance. They chose not to support it.”
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