Alberta Senior Care
A closer look at home and long-term care in Calgary
A crisis counsellor who says there is somthing missing from Alberta's senior care system.
Wyonne Sommers, Sinclair's grandmother, died due to bed sores and infections in October of 2013, at the McKenzie Towne Continuing Care Centre.
Sinclair shares her story of a nursing home nightmare at a controversial Calgary care centre.
Photo courtesy Revera Living
"Home-care recipients - the patients themselves - have been shortchanged on this issue. Workers are very upset and leaving in droves." - Edmonton MLA David Eggen
Users and health care critics have serious concerns about the quality of senior care in Alberta. Following several high profile deaths, Alberta Health Services is reviewing the standard of care delivered. But at the same time, the province has recently cut funding to senior care by a third. Senior care comprises "home care" where seniors receive attention in the comfort of their homes, and "assisted living" which involves seniors cohabiting under supervision within an institution.
The Calgary Journal set out to seek information, commentary and opinions from the people who deliver and receive the care, in order to give a deeper perspective on home care and assisted living. This multimedia project takes a closer look into their stories. We thank all those who shared them with us.
Neither the Health Minister nor the Associate Minister of Seniors responded to our repeated requests for an interview.
"...making sure my department has all the required tools and resources to monitor this system effectively on an ongoing basis,”says Horne.
Addressing a system-wide review after allegations of senior abuse - The Calgary Herald, April 2014.
Celia James
Breanne Sinclair