REGINA – Saskatchewan’s Ombudsman has released an update on progress made by the Santa Maria Senior Citizens Home, six months after recommending changes in the wake of the death of resident Margaret Warholm in 2014.
In 2015 Saskatchewan ombudsman Mary McFadyen released a report pointing out several instances where the system failed Warholm. McFadyen made 19 recommendations in regards to how to improve senior care in the province, including 14 recommendations directly to the care home.
READ MORE: Records altered, care standards not met in death of Margaret Warholm
Six months later, McFadyen found that the facility had implemented 13 out of the 14 recommendations.
Some of the recommendations already implemented include ensuring staff are able to identify and care for bed sores, and ensuring resident’s charts are up to date and that staff are using them properly.
Four recommendations were made to the Ministry of Health and are in the process of being implemented. The Regina Qu’Appelle Health Region received one recommendation, which is also in the process of being implemented.
The recommendations that the province is working to implement include reporting to the public about whether long-term care facilities are meeting guidelines, identifying the care needs of current and future long-term residents and improving processes for handling concerns.
Overall in the province, McFadyen says that complaints to her office rose 22 per cent in 2015 over 2014.
You can view the ombudsman’s complete annual report online at www.ombudsman.sk.ca.
Correction: A previous version of this story indicated that Santa Maria Senior Citizens Home implemented 13 out of the 19 recommendations. The home received 14 recommendations and has implemented 13 of the recommendations. The article also stated that the province is working to implement reporting processes to families. That recommendation was made to the Santa Maria Senior Citizens Home.
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