{"id":23979,"date":"2023-02-04T17:34:35","date_gmt":"2023-02-04T22:34:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ontariohealthcoalition.ca\/?p=23979"},"modified":"2023-02-28T22:50:11","modified_gmt":"2023-03-01T03:50:11","slug":"column-long-term-care-standards-actually-decades-behind","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ontariohealthcoalition.ca\/index.php\/column-long-term-care-standards-actually-decades-behind\/","title":{"rendered":"COLUMN: Long term care standards actually decades behind"},"content":{"rendered":"

(February 4, 2023)<\/p>\n

By: Michael Mantha, Elliot Lake Today<\/p>\n

\"20220129<\/p>\n

Algoma-Manitoulin MPP Michael Mantha \/ Image supplied<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Algoma-Manitoulin\u00a0MPP, Michael Mantha writes\u00a0a regular column\u00a0about provincial initiatives and issues impacting our community. This column was originally released by Mantha’s\u00a0<\/em>office.<\/em><\/p>\n

For those who are still fortunate enough to have aging parents, grandparents, or loved ones around, we owe it to them to help them tally up as much joy in their lifetime as possible.<\/p>\n

We can help by doing everything within our might to ensure they are well taken care of physically and emotionally. We must see that they are safe, happy, and comfortable. The importance of senior care cannot be understated.<\/p>\n

Readers are likely aware that the federal government is proposing the adoption of care standards they have developed to improve the lives of residents living in long-term care (LTC) facilities. However, we are currently uncertain whether the federal standards will be recommendations that can be voluntarily adopted or rejected.<\/p>\n

Some are already asking, \u201cWhat difference does it make? Of course, LTC facilities and administrators care. \u2014 Right?\u201d<\/p>\n

Well, my answer is, \u201cnot so fast.\u201d<\/p>\n

I remind readers about the alarming statistics regarding mortality rates in Ontario\u2019s LTC facilities during the pandemic. There was a shocking difference between mortality rates between for-profit and not-for-profit LTC facilities.<\/p>\n

In December of 2021, the Ontario Health Coalition reported that 4,023 residents had died as a direct result of contracting COVID-19 \u2013 a very sad statistic indeed.<\/p>\n

Horrifically, however, on top of those deaths, others died from proven malnutrition, dehydration, and neglect. It was determined that the cause of this was gross under-staffing. This led to overwork and burnout of care providers.<\/p>\n

Further analysis of LTC facilities showed a brutal difference between for-profit and not-for-profit facilities.<\/p>\n

Death rate per 100 beds<\/h2>\n