Anita Jenkins | Article

A lot of people over 70 state firmly , “ I don ’ t want to go to a home .” As if anyone — or hardly anyone — does want to exchange an independent lifestyle for communal living . It means moving into an environment that by necessity has extensive rules , a daily routine largely set by someone else , and a significant loss of privacy .

Some people of course enjoy what the health system calls a lodge or assisted living , where meals , cleaning , laundry , social activities , and recreation are provided . But when an aging person needs nursing care and assistance 24 / 7 , the only option is long-term care .

Some seniors who have adequate funds can stay in their homes if their condition is not extreme and a family member is willing and able to help . Edmonton writer Caterina Edwards ’ awardwinning book Finding Rosa describes the four years she cared for her mother , Rosa . This involved constructing an addition to the family home , hiring caregivers , helping the teenage grandchildren to accept and understand the new family situation , and more . Edwards coped with “ conflicting responsibilities to self , family and work while dealing with her mother ’ s confusion , hostility , paranoia and fear , and her own physical and emotional exhaustion ” ( Goodreads review ).

The bottom line : for those who face serious medical and physical challenges , the nursing home can be a welcome solution .

In 2017 , the Health Quality Council of Alberta ( HQCA )* reported on “ long-term care family experience .” At the time , 93 % of family members said they would recommend their loved one ’ s longterm care facility to others . Three years later , with the COVID-19 pandemic raging , no one can say conclusively how much attitudes may have changed .

ARTA news & views asked family members about their experiences with long-term care , and this is what they had to say . These comments are anecdotal and not necessarily representative of the larger population .

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DOLAINE When Dolaine offered to be interviewed , she said , “ I ’ ll try to keep it civil .” She and her family did not always have positive experiences with the care provided to her mother ( now deceased ) in several long-term care facilities .

Dolaine says the standard was five staff for thirtythree dementia-ward patients , and this didn ’ t seem adequate . On several occasions , Dolaine ’ s mother was injured and required hospital care as a result of attacks by other patients . Also , things went missing from her room .

“ The performance standards for staff forced rushed care ,” Dolaine says . “ Investigations into incidents such as attacks are not shared with the family . All long-term care facilities have scheduled performance reviews ; everybody knows ahead of time that they are coming .”

Room sizes varied depending on the building , Dolaine says , but they tended to be very small and in some cases two people shared a room .

Dolaine ’ s overall assessment : “ The system is nickel and diming at the expense of providing adequate care .”

In 2020 , almost fifteen per cent of Canadians were 65 or older . It is estimated that approximately two-thirds of those turning age 65 today will need long-term care at some point in their lives . This is especially true for women , who tend to live longer than men .

* hqca . ca . HQCA is a cross-disciplinary team of professionals governed by an independent board of directors .