As many of you know, there has been a disastrous and fatal outcome with respect to Revera run personal care homes in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

This is our story:

My mother-in-law, Brenda Gregory had just entered Maples PCH in early October.

Prior to the outbreak, my partner Lance went to see his Mom and she spoke of poor treatment at the home. She also advised that she missed receiving her medications.

On October 20 we received the first email advising of a resident testing positive for Covid and that visitations would be cancelled. We continued to receive emails advising of the continued increase of residents testing positive. October 23: 7 Positives. October 25: 16 positives. Through the emails it appeared that things were still under control within the home and we had trusted that everything was under control. 

On October 28 Lance's son called his Grandmother and noticed she did not sound good, that her voice was raspy. On November 2 Lance's brother spoke with their mother and called Lance to say she did not sound good and that she stated that no one was attending to her and that she was sitting in her own urine soaked diaper and bed. If it was not for the fact that she had her own phone in her room we might not have known about her health. Paramedics were called and requested to attend upon her.

A nurse telephoned Lance and asked if his mother called the paramedics and he advised that no she had not but that we had. Lance demanded to know what was happening as he was not receiving any response to the emails he had sent and phone calls went unanswered.  She advised that she was going to get to his mother but that she was "just one nurse to 60 residents". She asked if he wanted to speak to the paramedic and said yes. The paramedic advised that his mom had been showing symptoms of influenza for 3 days. Again we were never informed that she was symptomatic. A covid test had been done and we found out that November 3  that she was positive for covid. We were advised that she would currently continue to be monitored at the home. They stated that she was stable, not eating but taking fluids. But by the next morning we received a call at 5:00 a.m. that she was being transferred to the Grace Hospital.

Once in the hospital the covid progressed so quickly that we couldn't even bring everyone together. We had a facetime with her on Thursday. She was still coherent and telling us she would continue to fight the covid. On Friday the doctor called to advise that she was not progressing in the right direction and it was time to make her comfortable. After 12 hours she passed away late Friday evening.

To find out shortly thereafter the chaos and disturbing details that ensued at Maples PCH tells us that she did not receive the care she should have and that they for whatever reason refused to make known the problems they were having.

What possible reason could Revera have had for not reaching out for help? Why have our family members suffer like that? We'll never truly know what went on in the home. But we will demand justice for our family and the other families.

My goal is to petition the Manitoba Legislative to create an independent office of the Manitoba Legislature "The Manitoba Advocate for Seniors" as there is currently nothing proper in place for seniors. We need a Seniors Advocate to hopefully prevent future tragedies.