More needed to keep seniors in care safe: NDP

HAMILTON — Official Opposition NDP Leader Andrea Horwath released the following statement:

“Families have been heartbroken to be separated from their loved ones in long-term care, retirement homes and congregate care. I know they’ve been worrying about their family members’ health, worrying about the social and physical consequences of isolation, and worrying about the care they’re receiving.

Today’s relaxing of restrictions on family visits needs to come with more staff, a much greater supply of personal protective equipment and sanitization supplies, and Doug Ford must guarantee a rigorous, in person, frequent inspection program for all congregate care and long-term care facilities.

We continue to hear that family members are not only missing their loved ones because separation is difficult and lonely, but also because care homes are under-staffed and over-stressed. They worry that without family visits, their loved one won’t get enough food, fluids or personal care. My deep condolences remain with Pietro Bruccoleri’s family — who died of malnutrition in long-term care — and my heart goes out to all Ontario families who witnessed that horrific, preventable death, and worry that in this broken system, their parent or grandparent may also be going without the hands-on care they need to protect their health.”