WATCH ABOVE: Continuing care aides share the challenges of their jobs and concerns about conditions at a Regina long-term care facility
REGINA – “I would not put my own family in that home.”
The statement from one of three continuing care aides to come forward Monday, sharing their experiences working at Santa Maria Senior Citizens Centre.
The workers, speaking with reporters on condition of anonymity, described being overworked and understaffed, often with ratios of one worker to 12 long-term care residents during daytime hours and two workers to 49 residents overnight.
Their names have been changed to protect their identity. “Sue” has worked at Santa Maria for 13 years, with 20 years total experience as a continuing care aide. “Jenny” has been there 12 years, and “Anna” for nine.
All three of them said they felt there was no other avenue to try and affect change.
“At least after eight hours, we go home,” Jenny said. “(Residents) are stuck over there all the time. I feel sad.”
The workers told reporters that residents at Santa Maria are fed leftovers on a daily basis.
“What they have for breakfast, they have for lunch. When they have something for lunch, the leftovers (are served) for supper,” said Anna.
Anna said many of the residents won’t eat the food, so much of it is wasted.
“We have to be their voice because they can’t speak up.”
The allegations come after the story of Margaret Warholm, a 74-year-old woman who died shortly after being admitted to hospital following a stay at Santa Maria, was made public last week.
Her family asked for minimum care requirements after saying Warholm became malnourished, developed large bedsores and was otherwise neglected.
Opposition critics believe problems at Santa Maria are not a one-off situation.
“This is a huge problem at this facility, but these are stories I’ve heard repeated at location after location,” said NDP leader Cam Broten.
Jenny said continuing care aides want to devote more time to residents.
“They’re lonely. They ask how you are,” Jenny said. “We can’t even spend 10 minutes with residents one-on-one.”
The workers believed they would be punished for speaking publicly, saying staff members have been disciplined for challenging management decisions in the past.
“We’re the ones doing the work. We’re never asked our opinion about resident care or anything like that,” said Sue. “(Management) makes the decisions and we have to go by it.”
A letter describing conditions and staffing concerns, signed by 49 Santa Maria workers, was delivered to the health minister’s office in June.
READ BELOW: A letter delivered by workers from Santa Maria Senior Citizens Care Home (obtained and highlighted by NDP)
Health minister Dustin Duncan believes staffing is consistent at most facilities in Regina.
“What I’m hoping for from the Ombudsman are recommendations that speak to beyond the staffing complement issue, because I don’t think (understaffing) is the case in every facility,” Duncan said.
The Ombudsman’s office is investigating the Warholm case.
The three workers hope bringing their story to the public will result in changes for employees and residents in long term care.
“We have to be their voice because they can’t speak up.”
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