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<\/p>\n(July 23, 2020)<\/p>\n
By: Randy Thoms, 93.1 The Border<\/p>\n
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A survey of long term care staff is highlighting some heartbreaking stats.<\/p>\n
The survey was conducted by the Ontario Health Coalition.<\/p>\n
\u201cStaff haven\u2019t had time to explain COVID-19 to residents who are confused. They don\u2019t have time to visit with them. This really struck an emotional chord with staff, who report that residents are lonely and yet staff have not had time to provide emotional care,\u201d says executive director Natalie Mehra.<\/p>\n
The Ontario Health Coalition spoke to more than 150 long-term care staff about staffing and care levels in Ontario\u2019s long-term care homes. Three per cent of the respondents came from employees in northwestern Ontario homes. The survey asked whether staffing is worse, better or the same before COVID-19.<\/p>\n
It found 95 per cent of the staff report that their workplaces are sort-staffed. Fifty-three per cent reported they are short shortages every day. Sixty-three per cent report staffing levels are worse than before COVID-19 hit.<\/p>\n
Twenty-eight per cent said that staffing levels are the same.<\/p>\n