Sask. Has Stopped Trying To Control COVID-19. What Does That Mean For Seniors - CBC News

2/22/22, 6:47 PM Sask. has stopped trying to control COVID-19. What does that mean for seniors?
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Saskatchewan
Sask. has stopped trying to control COVID-19. What

does that mean for seniors?
Restrictions still an option in long-term care homes, despite advocates'

objections
Kendall Latimer · CBC News · Posted: Feb 22, 2022 9:17 AM CT | Last Updated: 5 hours ago
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/sask-long-term-care-residents-covid-1.6354257 1/11
2/22/22, 6:47 PM Sask. has stopped trying to control COVID-19. What does that mean for seniors? | CBC News
COVID-19 deaths have shortened life expectancy at birth in Canada, a recent study by Statistics Canada suggests.
(Shutterstock)
Saskatchewan seniors shouldn't be isolated any longer because of COVID-19,

according to advocates for the older population.
The government has stopped trying to control the spread of COVID-19 in the
community and lifted nearly all restrictions in the province. But seniors living in
care facilities still face potential lockdowns.
Seniors' advocates say this isn't fair.
"The isolation and loneliness has truly been the hardest part for residents,"
said Kathleen Spatt, who is president for Saskatchewan's chapter of
the Canadian Association for Retired Persons. Seniors are most vulnerable to
the virus and have faced lockdowns where they couldn't see their loved ones
for weeks at a time because of COVID-19 outbreaks.
This remains true, even though people in the rest of the province can technically
move freely. There have been 71 outbreaks in long-term care facilities and 44 in
personal care homes during the last six weeks, according to government
data. The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) is continuing to use a levelled
system of Family Presence and Visitor Restrictions — meaning seniors will still

face restrictions.
Spatt said seniors should be protected through rapid testing and mandatory

masking. She's disappointed the proof-of-vaccination policy in SHA facilities was
halted, but said regardless of that, seniors want to move forward.
"They're anxious if they're fearful, but they're also looking forward to and
hopeful of getting more freedoms."
Continue masking, rapid testing: advocates

Shan Landry has heard the same message from seniors. She wants policy put in
place so that long-term care facilities can no longer restrict family presence.
"We need to ensure that we never again have the instance where — no matter
what the infection is — that we separate older people from the people who love
them," said Landry, who is vice president of the Saskatchewan Seniors
Mechanism and a member of the Saskatchewan Long-Term Care Network.
"There have been older adults who have been isolated in long-term care for
days and weeks on end because of outbreaks who have said quite sincerely, if I
could make a choice of having my life shortened but being able to see my
grandchildren, I would make that choice."
Landry isn't downplaying the severity of the virus for seniors.
As of Feb. 16, there have been 190 deaths among residents in Saskatchewan's

long-term care facilities. The province has had 1,012 deaths total.
Landry said there have also been consequences from keeping loved ones away
from seniors, from malnutrition to depression to worsening dementia. She said
family visitors are key in supporting seniors and staff.
Staff "do not have enough time built in for them to attend to some of the
smaller, personal things that can make a huge difference." For example, Landry
would help her mom pick out an outfit and wheeled her around to socialize.
"The facility was great, but they could only provide the care she needed to help
her go to the toilet, bathe and get into and out of bed, ensure her medications
were given to her. But all the other things that life is about — the other 23 hours
of the day — the staff do not have time to attend to, so families and friends do."
New standards needed for long term care

Advocates also say the long-term care system needs a complete overhaul and
seniors need more representation as the province tries to move beyond COVID-
19.
They both want Saskatchewan to rethink its long-term care system.
"Our long-term care facilities need a total rework. They're broken, they need to
be fixed," Spatt said. She said the majority of homes are simply "warehousing
our vulnerable populations."
Spatt said homes that prioritize independence, patient-centred care and a

smaller staff to resident ratio should be priority.
In this file photo from April 2021, a senior in Alberta gets a COVID-19 vaccination. (Alberta Health Services)
A voice for seniors

Laura Tamblyn Watts worries calls for change like this will be brushed aside as
the province moves on.
"With the lifting of all restrictions, we're very worried that this means that the
issues related to older people will get swept under the carpet," said Tamblyn
Watts, who is CEO of Canada's National Seniors Advocacy Organization. "The
government [is] really taking its hands off the wheel."
Tamblyn Watts said that's concerning for the older adult population living in
group settings. COVID-19 brought waves of death through long term care
facilities.
Saskatchewan doesn't have an independent advocate for seniors.
Extendicare was 'woefully unprepared' for Sask.'s deadliest COVID-19

nursing home outbreak: ombudsman
Province ignored recommendations to make Sask. long-term care safer
for seniors: Opposition
Sask. long-term care homes dangerously understaffed as workers
isolate due to COVID: CUPE president
"We don't have a strong voice for seniors in [Saskatchewan]. I think that these
decisions and how we've dealt with COVID in the last two years for older people
shows how important having a seniors advocate in the province would be,"
Tamblyn Watts said
She noted British Columbia's seniors' advocate Isobel Mackenzie, who "reports
directly to the government, which has made positive changes."
A resident watches television at CHSLD Rose-de-Lima seniors residence in Laval, Que., in March 2021. (Ryan
Remiorz/The Canadian Press)
Spatt said there's not a central hub of information of help for seniors, and said
she's seen issues as serious as elder abuse get lost in the current system.
She believes a seniors' advocate could increase accountability and change. That
an office free of government influence could be a hub for senior-related
inquiries and dig into systemic issues to inform policy.
"We desperately need that. Give us a voice."
A spokesperson for the Ministry of Health said the government's minister

responsible for seniors exists to provide "a dedicated voice in government.
They also said the government plans to hire 300 continuing care aides in long-
term care and home care over the next three years and "the SHA reports that a
little over 100 of the total 108 FTEs [full-time equivalent positions] for 2021-22
have been filled."
Front-line care staff in long-term care facilities has increased 12 per cent since
2006 and government is trying to recruit workers from the Philippines, according
to spokesperson.
Spatt said current efforts aren't enough and the aging population is only
growing. She wants to see more done to address issues facing seniors.
"We haven't addressed the inadequate facilities and staffing issues," Spatt
said. "Two years going into this, and we still haven't changed our model. So what
are we waiting for? We can start small."
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2/22/22, 6:47 PM Sask. has stopped trying to control COVID-19. What does that mean for seniors?

Sask. has stopped trying to control COVID-19. What

Restrictions still an option in long-term care homes, despite advocates'

Saskatchewan seniors shouldn't be isolated any longer because of COVID-19,

Seniors' advocates say this isn't fair.

system of Family Presence and Visitor Restrictions — meaning seniors will still

Spatt said seniors should be protected through rapid testing and mandatory

Continue masking, rapid testing: advocates

Landry isn't downplaying the severity of the virus for seniors.

As of Feb. 16, there have been 190 deaths among residents in Saskatchewan's

New standards needed for long term care

They both want Saskatchewan to rethink its long-term care system.

Spatt said homes that prioritize independence, patient-centred care and a

A voice for seniors

Saskatchewan doesn't have an independent advocate for seniors.

Extendicare was 'woefully unprepared' for Sask.'s deadliest COVID-19

"We desperately need that. Give us a voice."

A spokesperson for the Ministry of Health said the government's minister

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©2022 CBC/Radio-Canada. All rights reserved.

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