WATCH ABOVE: An evolving trend of health regions converting space in seniors homes to provide different care services is stirring debate about whether it’s a better use of space
REGINA – “They just came along and took that room away from us.”
They used to have full access to a recreational room at Regina Village, until the new year came. Now residents at the seniors’ home are locked out and fed up.
“We have no place for family to have their gatherings,” said Mary West, chair of the Regina Village Residents Association. “Every day there was something going on in that room.”
The Regina Qu’Appelle Health Region (RQHR) has moved home care staff in – an evolving trend of bringing community services to the seniors they serve.
“All we want is our room back and we’ll be as happy as can be.”
In Moose Jaw, Five Hills Health Region (FHHR) won’t fill seven vacant suites in subsidized housing at Pioneer Village. An entire block of 20 suites will eventually be set aside for care staff working with youth or mental health patients.
“We are committed and accountable for health services,” said Cheryl Craig, Five Hills CEO. “Being a landlord is not part of that.”
A meeting Tuesday alleviated worries of some tenants who thought they may get evicted. FHHR confirmed all residents will be allowed to stay as long as they want, though some may be asked to move to a different unit.
It is, however, another health region changing how space is used – leading some people to question the long term impact.
“All I’ve got is my pension, this is extremely low income housing,” said Shirley Morrison, 75, who has lived at Pioneer Village for 15 years. “The boomers are here. They’re in their 60’s … they’ve got to have a place too.”
Robert Harden, whose 87-year-old mother-in-law lives at Pioneer Village, was concerned a similar service won’t be provided in the future. “(Seniors have worked) all their lives, they want some security … and it’s just too bad so much of that stuff is being taken away.”
Both RQHR and a government spokesperson told Global News that bringing services like home care into seniors facilities is better for residents. At Regina Village, for example, it’s now provided in the heart of a neighbourhood with a high density of elderly people.
“By having home care service here, centrally located, (we can provide) 500-600 visits per year of clients that would not have received service before,” said Debbie Sinnett, RQHR’s executive director of long term care.
The opposition NDP blame the space crunch on what they call a bloated health care administration.
Seniors at Regina Village don’t want to play politics – they just want their space.
“All we want is our room back and we’ll be as happy as can be,” West said.
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