- Target:
- Government and Community
- Region:
- Canada
Rights for Seniors
The laws that are theoretically intended to protect our Canadian senior population may look good on paper, but complaints of senior abuse and neglect are not always thoroughly investigated, until after a death occurs. Complainants are reluctant to come forward, especially seniors in nursing homes and staff in nursing homes, as they fear retaliation.
If it is true, that a society is judged by the way it treats its most vulnerable, we are in an abysmal state. While we acknowledge that the provincial government has been investing funds, in its attempt to address issues that affect our senior population, we also realize that the problems that affect our elders are so complex that more funding, without strict accountability, may not be enough. Simply tossing more money at the nursing home sector may not improve quality of care, but result in higher profits for the institution. The problems are endemic: from the disgraceful diaper rule (the diaper is not changed unless its blue strip proves saturation), to seniors being abandoned in a wheelchair, without human interaction, and to the ultimate cases of blatant abuse and even death.
As advocates for senior rights, we (ourElders ourSelves, a watchdog group for senior rights) ask the government to pay attention to the voices of the disenfranchised and of those who value them.
We ask the government of Ontario:
1) To set up a twenty four hour telephone line, dedicated to the needs of the elderly, where, anyone, including nursing home staff, family, and above all the seniors themselves, can reach out for help (it is difficult to get through the current line). This would encourage anonymous calls, allowing for the reporting of any real, or presumed abuse;
2) To respond immediately, upon receiving a call of distress, or alleged abuse. The MOH officer contacted should investigate ALL complaints thoroughly. This should lead to an investigation that includes: unannounced visits to the nursing facility, and consultations with the staff, the residents and their FAMILIES. If the government official, shows bias, or informs the nursing home of the imminent inspection, that individual should incur severe penalties.
The anonymous telephone line, dedicated to senior issues, would encourage all, including caregivers, who are afraid to lose their jobs, to come forward and to report incidents, without fear of retaliation.
The investigation process, generated from the complaint, would also encourage compliance officers and government employees, who over the years, may have become friendly with certain nursing home operators, to approach issues of senior rights with the dignity and care these matters deserve.
This approach would send the message that our elders are valued family members and respected members of society, who have made and continue to make vital contributions.
This type of action would be consistent with the desire of the provincial government to protect the human rights of our cherished elders, so that we may never again have to read another horror story about the shocking end of a life that deserves no less respect and no less dignity than that of any other age group.
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The Rights for Seniors petition to Government and Community was written by Terri Barron and is in the category Human Rights at GoPetition.