Elderly resident at Deer Lodge hasn’t been bathed in three weeks, concerned relative says

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This article was published 31/10/2023 (798 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

An 84-year-old resident in care at Deer Lodge Centre hasn’t been bathed in three weeks, according to his upset family members, raising questions about the treatment of seniors who may not be able to effectively advocate for themselves.

One relative said the man has asked repeatedly to be bathed and has been brushed off by busy staff, at the cost of both his health and dignity.

“To the nurses, he says, ‘Can I have a bath? I stink already.’ And they said, ‘Tomorrow, tomorrow,’ just kept on saying ‘tomorrow,’” she told the Free Press.

The family member requested neither her name nor the resident’s be published, fearing identification may lead to additional unjust treatment. She said she hasn’t complained to the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority’s client relations team for the same reason.

The Free Press confirmed the person is a resident at Deer Lodge.

His relative is speaking out, she said, because she knows other residents who have waited too long between baths and wants to see the standard of care change for seniors in health-care facilities.

“I just feel sorry for him, and for other people, that they can’t give them a bath,” she said. “They’re always complaining (that) they have no time.”

Along with serving as a long-term care facility, Deer Lodge Centre also provides both in-patient and outpatient programming to older adults with specialized health needs. A CBC investigation in 2015 revealed Winnipeg police investigated allegations of abuse of residents by a former WRHA staff member.

In 2019, the Union of Veterans Affairs Employees called for an independent investigation into an alleged decline in the facility’s quality of care for its veteran residents.

Seniors forced to suffer sub-par care standards without an advocate in their corner is a story Carmen Nedohin, president of the Winnipeg chapter of the Canadian Association of Retired Persons, has heard many times.

That’s why she and other advocates for seniors have long called on the provincial government to create a watchdog position that could investigate complaints independent of the WRHA or Manitoba Health.

“I think that’s really important, because (an independent watchdog) does offer an opportunity for seniors who don’t have anyone to advocate on their behalf, or who can’t advocate for themselves, that there would be a voice for them.”– Carmen Nedohin, president of the Winnipeg chapter of the Canadian Association of Retired Persons

“I think that’s really important, because it does offer an opportunity for seniors who don’t have anyone to advocate on their behalf, or who can’t advocate for themselves, that there would be a voice for them,” she said Tuesday.

That position came a step closer to reality last week, when Premier Wab Kinew released his first set of mandate letters to four ministers, including Health Minister Uzoma Asagwara, who is also responsible for seniors and long-term care. Nedohin said that letter included the directive to create the advocate position.

The seniors advocate would report to the legislative assembly and operate similarly to the Manitoba advocate for children and youth, but with a focus on issues affecting older Manitobans, Nedohin said.

“They could call witnesses for an investigation; they have a lot more power, if it’s legislated and independent,” she said.

“And then the findings from whatever they investigate becomes public. It’s not something that sits on a shelf just collecting dust.”

A spokesperson from the WRHA said the staff at Deer Lodge Centre strive to “do everything possible to ensure patients and residents always receive the dignified and compassionate care they deserve.”

“Deer Lodge Centre clinical and management teams have no knowledge of any patient or resident who is not receiving appropriate care at this time, which is concerning,” the spokesperson said in an email.

“We always encourage patients, residents and their families to understand and participate in their care plan and to bring concerns to their care team.”

The email did not provide any details on the standard of care for bathing patients at Deer Lodge.

malak.abas@freepress.mb.ca