Local family, NDP call for better long-term care supports in Waterloo region

The daughter of a resident in a long-term care home in Kitchener says cracks in the Ontario health care system are putting seniors at risk.

Gail Sperling shared details about her mother's health in an online news event on Monday organized by NDPLeader Andrea Horwath.

Sperling said issues around under-staffing and under-funding during the lockdown negatively impacted her mother's physical and cognitive health.

"I used to be able to assist her with walking with a walker by myself and transferring to and from the toilet, recliner or bed. Now, I'm dependent on two staff to come with a lift assist device for transfers and a physiotherapist to be available to assist with walks," Sperling said about her mother, who's almost 90 and living with Parkinson's and dementia.

"This means that my mother's care needs are based on staff availability and not what's best for her comfort and physical care," she said.

Sperling did not name the local facility, but said there are about three health care workers helping a floor of about 26 residents.

New plan for long-term care

Horwath, who was joined by local NDP MPPs Laura Mae Lindofor Kitchener Centre and Catherine Fife for Waterloo, pushed forward her newly-released election plan to overhaul the provincial long-term care system.

"COVID-19 revealed a disaster behind the walls of long-term care homes," said Horwath, noting that most issues pre-existed the pandemic.

She said homes needs to "staff up with thousands" of personal support workers]put infectious control specialists in every home and ensure there are enough N95smasksand other personal protective equipment for workers.

Last week, the NDPs revealed their plan to create a new system that would include funding for better-paid, full-time positions and more spaces for seniors.

The press conference on Monday comes after Region of Waterloo acting medical officer of health Dr. Hsiu-Li Wang said staffing in the region's long-term care homes is "precarious."

Wang says there have been improvements in infectionprevention and control in the sector since the pandemic began, but recruitment and staffing continues to be a challenge.