Osprey Media Group Inc. - Brantford Expositor: "year later
By Susan Gamble
Local News - Saturday, February 26, 2005 @ 01:00
The story of 86-year-old Norma Stenson and pictures of her abuse at the hands of workers in a local retirement home and a long-term care facility shocked those in the industry, the government and families with loved ones living in seniors facilities
Those involved say everything changed in the ensuing year ? and nothing changed.
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The government has promised sweeping changes and has been slowly implementing some of them.
There are now surprise visits by the provincial inspectors, who formerly would warn long-term care facilities months in advance of their inspections.
A provincial Web site now allows people to look at those inspection reports. Its value is questionable, however. Confirmed abuse is almost non-existent, the reports are eventually up to a year out of date, and they don?t say whether the home in question has taken steps to clear up the problems.
Toll-free phone lines ? 1-866-434-0144 for long-term care issues and 1-800-361-7254 for retirement home complaints ? have been set up.
Important new legislation is expected to be introduced shortly, some of it based on the Brantford situation.
Brant MPP Dave Levac says he can?t yet go into details, but hints the proposed law will make it mandatory to report suspicions of abuse to the ministry, and will expand the protection for whistleblowers in long-term care facilities. Another important change is the expected separation of two roles that have been carried out until now by the same person. The compliance officer will ensure the home is doing what it?s supposed to do, while the inspector will shut the home down if i"
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