The Long-Term Care Report
May 12, 2020
How are you doing?
We hope that you're riding out the storm in good spirits and
good health this week.

As you know, Ontario's long-term care homes have been making news for months now thanks to COVID19.

If you have a parent living in one of these facilities, or a parent
on the waiting list for admission, we know what a challenging and stressful time this is for you and your family.

Take heart. You are not alone.

While this pandemic continues, so too, does life. As baby boomers and seniors, you still need to be proactive and prepared for the decisions that may lie ahead.

How can we help?
By giving you answers to some of the questions
that may be on your mind.
1. Is the LHIN (Local Health Integration Network)
still extending offers for long-term care beds?
Here's the good news: yes. In homes where there is no COVID19
outbreak declared, the LHIN is continuing to extend bed offers.
2. How many homes have declared an outbreak?
According to the Ministry of Long-Term Care, as of May 10th,
there were 174 nursing homes in Ontario in outbreak.

Click on the link below to see the list of homes affected:
No home that has declared an outbreak is extending bed offers.
3. Is infection control being taken seriously?

It would seem that the answer now is "yes". April 22nd, Premier
Doug Ford ordered every long-term care resident and staff
member be "swabbed" or"tested". The process is taking a few
weeks to unfold. This is the first time a "mass swabbing" has ever
been done in the province's long-term care homes.
4. What if my mother or father is on the waiting list for a long-term care bed, but is currently living in an "alternate level of care" bed in a hospital?
No elderly person in an ALC bed in hospital is being admitted into
long-term care at this time.
5. If I decide to take my mother or father out of long-term care because of my concerns over the virus, what happens?
Y our parent will be considered “discharged” and will have
to give up their bed. This is because the system is under
stress and needs to make full use of all available beds.
If your plan is to return in 3 months or less, your parent can
remain on the waiting list to re-enter their nursing home ahead
of applicants on the crisis list.
More timely information coming soon!

If you know someone who would like to be added to our mailing list, please click on the
"Contact Us" link below.
Karen Cumming & Patricia Milne 2020