Gaps in homecare leave Winnipeg man in perilous situation

Tom Landy fears he won’t live long enough to receive adequate homecare.

The 49-year-old Winnipegger has spinal muscular atrophy, a degenerative disease, and requires 24-7 homecare, but gaps in his care leave him sitting in one spot for hours and lately he’s developed bed sores.

Landy was approved for around-the-clock care in June 2025, but staffing issues and an investigation into a homecare worker’s workplace injury have left him without help for periods of time throughout the day and forced his 76-year-old father to fill in.

“This is what they’re here for, to take care of me, and now it feels like I’m a burden,” he said from his home in the Maples.

Tom weighs 39 pounds and is physically disabled. He requires several position changes and transfers throughout the day, as well as suctioning of his mouth to prevent him from choking on saliva. He also uses a ventilator.

One worker had been caring for Landy consistently for nearly 20 years and was considered “part of the family,” but after a workplace injury in April, the WRHA opened an investigation and the worker was placed elsewhere. Landy says his care hasn’t been the same since.

Landy’s father, Edward, carries him to his bedroom and washroom when needed, but says he can’t continue doing it as he’s getting older.

“They’re trying their best to fill the shifts with the people that they have trained, but they need specific training for him because he is unique,” Landy’s father said. “So, like they can’t just send in a regular worker.”

The family says they have a good relationship with all the workers, but Edward Landy says some simply don’t have enough training or are intimidated by the level of care his son needs and refuse to work with him.

During the hours homecare is not around, the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority suggested Landy wear diapers, he says.

To make matters worse, Landy has been waiting for a specialized wheelchair seat to regain some freedom.In 2023, the Free Press documented his lengthy wait for a motorized wheelchair, but the seat needs to be customized to fit his needs and keep him comfortable for long periods of time.

Because of the gaps in his homecare, he had to miss the appointment to get the seat adjusted and doesn’t know when he’ll get another chance.

“My condition is declining really fast. I worry that I won’t get to see the wheelchair,” he said.

Correspondence between Landy and the province’s health department viewed by the Free Press shows that a spokesperson told him changes to his care are made in accordance with workplace safety requirements, clinical assessments and established care practices.

The spokesperson encouraged Landy to “continue working directly with the WRHA.”

“They made it sound like I’m too much work for homecare work and if a homecare worker can’t look after me, then who can?” he said.

In an emailed statement, a WRHA spokesperson said if an employee believes their work constitutes a danger to their health, their safety or the safety of another person, they have a right to refuse work.

Using the right to refuse is not a common occurrence, the spokesperson said, but when the process is initiated, the situation is investigated by occupational and environmental safety and health professionals and a resolution is put in place “as soon as possible.”

“Mr. Landy’s case is very unique, and our care team continues to work closely with him and his family to develop a plan to support his care plan,” the spokesperson said.

A statement from Health Minister Uzoma Asagwara’s office said it has “engaged with Mr. Landy, his family, and the WRHA to support ongoing co-ordination around his care.”

Manitoba doesn’t have any organizations dedicated to advocating for homecare recipients, so the family is left to do it themselves.

“We have no one,” Tom Landy said.

nicole.buffie@freepress.mb.ca