Close X
Tuesday, October 1, 2024
ADVT 
National

Care home changes aim to give families more say

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 03 Nov, 2022 03:26 PM
  • Care home changes aim to give families more say

VICTORIA - The B.C. government says it's giving long-term care residents and their families a more direct line of communication with decision-makers on issues that affect them, after many expressed frustration during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mable Elmore, parliamentary secretary for senior services, says changes to the residential care regulation will strengthen the voices of resident and family councils.

The councils, which she likened to residential stratas, are groups of people who meet regularly to promote the collective interests of residents and discuss concerns.

The changes include requiring operators to meet more frequently with the councils and the formation of regional and provincial committees.

They come after many families expressed distress during the COVID-19 pandemic about staffing shortages, inconsistent compliance with health regulations and a lack of say over their loved ones' care.

Kim Slater, founder of Family Councils of BC, says the changes are a "game-changer" that will add family voices to policy decision-making, which has historically only included the Health Ministry, health authorities, workers unions and service providers.

"Now, the very people who are actually experiencing long-term care, up close and personal, will have a guaranteed independent collective voice in policy decisions that are impacting them."

Nola Galloway said she helped form an independent family council for her father's home after he went into care in 2009.

She said she believes the councils are essential contributors to improving the quality of life for residents in long-term care, but the pandemic highlighted why it was important they have a guaranteed voice in decisions that affect them.

"Families felt helpless as decisions were being made that tremendously impacted them and their loved ones, yet they had zero input into those decisions."

Those independent councils banded together to form regional associations and then a provincial one, the Family Councils of BC, early this year, she said.

The changes announced Thursday should alleviate some of the challenges those bodies have previously faced without detailed Health Ministry protocols in place to support them, Galloway said.

MORE National ARTICLES

WATCH: Darpan Magazine showcases spectacular events in the Lower Mainland

WATCH: Darpan Magazine showcases spectacular events in the Lower Mainland
The events around town featured the best of what the City of Vancouver has to offer in terms of entertainment, culture, music and much more.  

WATCH: Darpan Magazine showcases spectacular events in the Lower Mainland

3 people dead in morning Langley shooting including gunman, shootings lasted 6 hours

3 people dead in morning Langley shooting including gunman, shootings lasted 6 hours
While police have said they are working to confirm if the victims were homeless, the attack is also drawing calls from advocates to reduce discrimination against the vulnerable population and increase safety. Two people were killed in the attacks and two others were seriously injured before the police fatally shot the suspect.

3 people dead in morning Langley shooting including gunman, shootings lasted 6 hours

Gursimran Sahota and Tanvir Khakh of Surrey arrested and charged in Whistler shooting

Gursimran Sahota and Tanvir Khakh of Surrey arrested and charged in Whistler shooting
IHIT investigators and its partners worked continuously in processing the scene and collecting the appropriate evidence to secure these charges. 3 other individuals were arrested along with Khakh and Sahota. The extent of their involvement is still being determined.  

Gursimran Sahota and Tanvir Khakh of Surrey arrested and charged in Whistler shooting

Pope sorry for assimilation of Indigenous people

Pope sorry for assimilation of Indigenous people
The Pope said he feels sorrow, indignation and shame. He said begging forgiveness is the first step and there must be a serious investigation into what took place. Francis also called the overall effects of the policies linked to residential schools "catastrophic."

Pope sorry for assimilation of Indigenous people

Rogers CEO defends outage response to MPs

Rogers CEO defends outage response to MPs
The CEO further outlined some of the technical causes of the outage and what the company is doing to prevent additional outages, including a plan to separate the wireless and internet networks.  MPs also directed questions to Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne on government action in response to the outage.     

Rogers CEO defends outage response to MPs

Heat warnings for much of B.C. with temperatures up to 40 C through to Saturday

Heat warnings for much of B.C. with temperatures up to 40 C through to Saturday
The warnings cover an area from the inner south coast, including Victoria and Metro Vancouver, to the Okanagan, and as far north as the Bulkley Valley and Terrace and Kitimat on the northern coast.

Heat warnings for much of B.C. with temperatures up to 40 C through to Saturday