Frost families tackle proposed long-term care Act
Tuesday, November 21, 2006 -- Natalie Miller
Close to 100 concerned family members and residents gathered at Frost Manor recently prepared to take action against the Province’s proposed Long Term Care Homes Act.

Critics of the Act say it threatens the future of older long-term care homes and could entail residents being uprooted from their communities. The Act would put a 10-year deadline on older nursing home’s operating licences and provide no plan for what happens before or after that. After seven years government can decide to do anything it wants with the older homes, including close them and move the beds to another community.

With no funding commitment for the structural renewal of older homes, current and future residents will face uncertainty for the next decade while continuing to live in three- or four-bed ward rooms, say nursing home staff. About 35,000 nursing home residents live in older homes and would be impacted by the new Act, if passed.

“Frost Manor is very active in that campaign,” says Linda Burr, administrator of the Lindsay long-term care home.

The Oct. 28 meeting that drew close to 100 people “was the best meeting we’ve had in my time. The residents and families are very receptive to participating in the campaign. They were very positive we could have some impact.”

People are expressing their support by signing petitions and postcards distributed by the Ontario Long Term Care Association with the intent to be forwarded to provincial politicians across the province.

On Nov. 10, Frost, in conjunction with another area nursing home, presented about 300 postcards to Victoria-Haliburton-Brock MPP Laurie Scott. Six residents, three family members, one of Frost’s attending physicians and Candace Chartier from OMNI’s home office were among those who attended the meeting. Following the meeting, the MPP presented the petition in the legislature.

“She was very receptive to our concerns,” says Linda. “She speaks very highly of the long-term care homes in Lindsay and she has been to Frost Manor.”

Signed postcards will continue to be accepted until the end of the month, says Linda, noting she will forward them to the politician’s office. OMNI made about $200,000 in upgrades to the 62-bed Mary Street home in 2005.

Linda shares the family members’ concerns. “Our residents are entitled to exactly the same services as residents in the (newer) homes.” She says it’s not fair when a resident moves to long-term care that his or her whole life is confined to a four-bed ward.

Linda also takes issue with the components of the Act that would impact staff. “There’s no security for our residents and staff. Their families shouldn’t have to worry.” Should Frost’s licence be removed, seniors could be uprooted, says Linda.

“This is a time they should be settled in their life