The administrator and director of care of Burnbrae Gardens in Campbellford says there are often conflicts between residents and family members on a myriad of issues, but frequently it’s about the level of care each party wants, says Mary Anne.

"A family member may want a resident to be resuscitated in the event of an emergency, whereas the resident may not want that. It’s a conundrum for us as caregivers; we often have to act as an advocate for the resident," says Mary Anne.

Burnbrae was last accredited through the Canadian Council on Health Services Accreditation in October of 2002. The three-year accreditation the home received means Burnbrae will be up again for accreditation next year.

When the long-term care home completed it last time, says Mary Anne, ethics was referenced but not as much as the new focus Burnbrae is expecting when it comes time to renew the application.

Mary Anne says for residents in situations as described above, Burnbrae has had to call the Advocacy Centre in Toronto where legal representation for those is free for anyone cognitively well and over the age of 65. "The centre will avail a lawyer for their (residents’) use," says Mary Anne.

The administrator mentions a recent situation in which a family member wanted to take a resident on an outing against medical advice. What came out of the lesson, says Mary Anne, is that the home needed to have a form in place for family members to sign in case something like this happened again. The form would say the family member is signing their loved one out of the home against medical advice.

Mary Anne says it hasn’t been needed but she is glad the form is there.

Given the number of ethical issues before long-term care home administrators, Mary Anne says OMNI leaders would benefit from a retreat with an ethics consultant.

"I think it would be a great idea, and would be a chance for everyone to participate based on their experiences."