On June 22, 2020, Toronto City Councillor Josh Matlow will present to the Executive Committee a recommendation to create transformational change in Ontario's long term care homes. His goals are consistent with the objective of this petition.  I wanted to share with you an excerpt from my letter to the executive committee in support of Councillor Matlow's recommendation and remind you that there is strength in numbers as  I referenced the 54,000+ who have signed this petition.  Thank you for your support - we ARE making a difference. 

The excerpt is below: 

I would also like to have the Council consider that 54,000+ people have signed the on-line petition  to Make safe access to Seniors isolating in Long Term Care the Country's TOP priority (petition link: https://www.change.org/SeniorVoice). Supporting  Councillor's Matlow's three recommendations is consistent with the goal of this petition, which has resonated with 54,000+ Canadians across the Country. 

I agree with Councillor Matlow, that there is a need to create transformational change in Ontario's long term care homes and urge  Committee's members to adopt the Councillor's recommendations to better support seniors and help ensure that an outbreak of this magnitude never happens again in our province. Please consider the Councillor's  three recommendations for adoption by the Minister of Long Term Care:

1) Initiate an independent, objective and impartial inquiry into Ontario’s long term care homes:

2) Immediate changes made to the level and quality of care in long term care homes, with respect to pandemic relief:  Additional supports for staff and residents are needed now to stem the COVID-19 pandemic. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Greater access to personal protective equipment
• Increased proactive inspections, as done in the Kingston region
• Increased testing
• Other improvements made to supply, capacity and infection control measures
• Following Alberta’s lead, in homes that have zero recorded outbreaks, and when deemed safe to do so, each resident should be granted an essential visitor, which would contribute to and improve residents’ quality of life
•  For homes that are unfortunately experiencing an outbreak, greater access to technology is needed, so residents can connect with their loved ones more often, as loneliness can have a direct impact on health and longevity

3) Culture Change: Adopt emotion-centered approaches to care into Ontario’s Long Term Care Homes Act, 2007 (LTCHA) and Ontario Regulation 79/10

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If you are interested in Councillor's Matlow's call to reform - please click this link . 

Thank you for your support.  Keep the conversation going.  WE ARE BEING HEARD AND STARTING TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE.  WE MUST KEEP SPEAKING FOR OUR MOST VULNERABLE.

Perry Lupyrypa, Daughter of Betty Pratcshler, Resident in a Manitoba Retirement Home (waiting for the ability to give her a hug - inside!!)