Hi all - again, thanks for your support - I promise I will not be sending endless emails.
Just moments ago, the following email was sent to the Prime Minister and all the Premiers. If anything develops because of it, I will let you know. Please continue to share the petition if you are inclined. It can't hurt. Here is the email that was sent:
Dear Prime Minister, Premiers and Minister
Please consider the on-line petition signed by 766 individuals to Make Safe Access to Seniors isolating in Long Term Care the Countries TOP priority. Since the pandemic began many of us have lost parents and other beloved seniors. Some were lost to Covid, many more passed for other reasons. Regardless of the reason, they passed mostly alone - with no family/friends. Attached are the names and comments from the petition.
The Iron Ring protecting our seniors is killing them. Please give these vulnerable members of society a VOICE. The country is gradually releasing Covid19 restrictions. We ask our elected leaders to take action and make it a priority to find a way to open up visits with family and loved ones in long term care facilities and under safe conditions. You must do this NOW. Too many seniors are suffering and many are dying of loneliness and isolation.
Long Term Care homes are in the business of giving a quality end of life.
· Now there are no community meals, no birthday celebrations, no family visits, no activities in groups.
· Society has taken away everything that makes life living in an effort to protect them.
· There was death before Covid, there is death during Covid and there will be death after Covid. The difference is now our most vulnerable senior population is dying of loneliness.
The government priority on opening and releasing of Covid 19 restrictions is economically driven. If we can figure out how to safely get our hair cut, go to the dentist and the gym or golf, certainly society can figure out a way to safely visit our loved ones in long term care (or even those self-isolating at home).
· Technology is not the answer. Many seniors don't understand the technology and many do not have it available.
· Continued lockdown is not the answer. Our loved ones are confined to their rooms and stare at the TV or out the window, alone.
· We must find a solution that balances compassion and acceptable risks. My neighbour Dolly, aged 93 was a child in Germany during WWII and claims that Covid 19 isolation is worse than WWII because during the war, she had family and friends to help get through the tough times.
Now as the country is releasing the Covid 19 restrictions, we must prioritize contact with our beloved seniors as much as (if not more than) economic recovery The 766 (and counting) individuals who have signed this petition ask that our elected officials protect our most vulnerable members of society and represent all Canadians, including our voiceless seniors who are suffering the most in isolation. Last week, New York State Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced a pilot project at 16 hospitals around the state to begin to allow time-limited visits, with mandatory PPE. In Canada, we can follow Alberta’s lead in homes that have zero recorded outbreaks and where when deemed safe, each resident should be granted an essential visitor, which would contribute to and improve residents’ quality of life.
Thank-you for taking the time to read this and for protecting and representing our most vulnerable.
On behalf of the 766+ who have signed the petition
Perry Lupyrypa,
Daughter of Betty Pratcshler, recent widow and new resident of Brightwater Seniors Residence.
Link to petition: https://www.change.org/SeniorVoice