Website: https://rsc-src.ca
COVID-19 did not break the LTC sector. It showed us how deep the long standing, systemic problems are, internationally and in Canada.
81% of COVID-19 deaths in Canada have been in nursing homes, the highest rate of any country globally
Longstanding Systemic Issues
- Funding
- Federal – provincial jurisdictional issues
- No national framework similar to the CHA
- Regulation (under and over)
- Failure to view as a home
- Many nursing homes are older buildings (built in the 50’s thru 70’s)
- Congregate settings often with 2 or more residents to a room
- Lack of integration with the acute care system and other parts of the continuing care system (home care, assisted/supportive living, retirement homes, etc.)
- An appalling lack of data with which to manage the system
- An equally appalling lack of an ecosystem built to act on data
Solutions:
- Develop National Standards
- Commission and act on a comprehensive pan-Canadian assessment of national standards for staffing and staffing mix in nursing homes
- Solve the Workforce Crisis. With new federal funding – Provinces/Territories must provide:
- Appropriate pay and benefits (e.g., sick leave) permanently, and equitably across Canada, in the sector and between acute and LTC
- Full time employment
- Educational standards for care aides/PCWs; continuing education for all staff and training for other temporary staff
- Provide mental health support for staff – we know COVID-19 is going to have long term mental health consequences based on SARS, early reports out of China and recent reviews