Thanks to the 5600+ who in just over one week have signed the petition asking our Federal and Provincial elected officials to make safe access to Seniors isolating in Long Term Care the Country's TOP priority. The conversation is growing and being heard. You are helping to make a difference.
Please please please help keep the conversation going. Restrictions are being released with the objective of keeping the economy going, but the voices of isolating seniors in Long Term Care continues to be stymied.
On May 26, 2020 the Winnipeg Free Press reported Manitoba had zero positive cases of COVID 19 in the last five days and with only 14 active cases province-wide. On that day, Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister announced Phase 2 of the province’s reopening plan effective June 1, 2020, noting that the reopening was more expansive than first projected. Premier Pallister claimed there’s a “danger” in not proceeding with the reopening, including on people’s mental health. He explained that although seniors are among the most at-risk groups for serious COVID-19 complications, senior centres will be able to reopen Monday. He also said that restrictions at long-term care homes would remain in effect and only outdoor visits are allowed.
Do not be lulled into thinking these outdoor garden visits are a panacea. While they are better than nothing. we can and must do more. Visits are limited in duration (30 minutes) and in number (2 to 3 /week) and available when staff can supervise (sometimes 10am-4pm). If you are an essential worker you might be working at that time and not be able to visit your loved one. It might be too hot, too cold or raining during your scheduled visit. The visits are confusing for residents with dementia, who do not understand why they can't visit inside.
On June 1st, Manitobans will be able to safely go to the gym, get a hair cut, see a dentist and have a meal in a restaurant. They have one of the lowest incidents of Covid 19 in the country and are the envy of most other provinces, yet...Manitobans still can not safely visit a loved one INSIDE a long term care facility and there is no evidence about efforts to find creative solutions for safe visits inside Long Term Care homes. What hope is there for the other provinces...
The Premier has acknowledged the mental health risk of seniors isolating in long term care. If the Provincial and Federal government leaders insist on the IRON RING - they should simultaneously be providing therapists for the regular and ongoing group and individual therapy. Alongside protecting their physical health, OUR ELECTED LEADERS MUST HELP ISOLATING SENIORS WITH THEIR MENTAL WELL-BEING AND SEND IN THERAPISTS TO LONG TERM CARE HOMES.
Let's learn from France. They are trying new and innovative ways for isolating seniors to have meaningful and safe human contact with their loved ones - CTV News reported on an anti-virus "bubble" at Joseph's nursing home in Bourbourg, northern France, separated by a clear plastic sheet that allows them some physical contact, face-to-face, without the risk of infection. The report states that lack of contact has been hard to bear for nursing home residents, many of whom are battling dementia, and psychologists have warned that the trauma of perceived abandonment can be fatal for some. Confined to their rooms, "the residents suffer tremendously" and some "just let themselves die, they stop eating, they no longer find meaning in life,"
The message to make safe access to Seniors isolating in Long Term Care the Country's TOP priority is getting across, slowly - and is being heard across the ocean. Thank you for keeping the conversation going. LET'S MAKE IT LOUD - so it can be heard - the sooner the better. Lives are at stake. Thanks for continuing to share. It is making a difference.