More eyes on long-term care in Ontario is a good thing, but what's really needed to help seniors is more staff, say advocates for the elderly.
Response was mixed Wednesday to news that Ontario Ombudsman Andre Marin will investigate how long-term care facilities are being monitored.
Marin said his office will conduct a full investigation into the effectiveness of the province when it comes to ensuring nursing homes are meeting government standards.
His office, responsible for handling grievances against provincial government organizations, has long received complaints about long-term care. While he doesn't have the authority to investigate those complaints, he can launch a probe of the system that handles them.
"In one sense it's long overdue," said Eleanor Maslin, administrator of the John Noble Home.
Maslin said that, over the last few years, nursing homes which were once reserved for the frail elderly have become "melting pots" mixing young mentally handicapped adults, developmentally delayed adults and seniors with complex issues.
"It's a huge challenge for us," Maslin said. "We have a critical nursing shortage and as long as we're seen as an industry that doesn't provide quality care, people aren't going to enter the profession."
Do you have input ?
-"It's scary and I think something horrible is going to happen to someone before it's going to change." Marin said his investigation will take about six months to complete.
He is inviting the public to tell his office about their long-term care experiences or issues with the provincial monitoring system. Go to www.ombudsman.on.ca or call 1-800-263-1830.
What are the real issues?
-funding
- private options - one solution fits all does not work
- special interest groups get the gold and the worm
- more MOH administration bloat -more talk -more rules -less real action -a scenario caution ?
