By Patrick Book

Extendicare stands behind staffing policies at Saskatchewan care homes

Apr 24, 2013 | 7:05 AM

Looking after the province's elderly is a complicated and complex business. That's what News Talk Radio is hearing from the operators of Saskatchewan care homes in the wake of some recent criticism.

In the last two weeks, several people have come forward venting their frustration with the staffing levels of long-term care homes, worrying that their loved ones health and well-being is at risk because of a shortfall of workers.

Extendicare is a private sector for-profit company that runs 85 seniors homes in Canada and more than 150 in the United States.

One of their Regina facilities was singled out by Carrie Klassen, who alleged that she had seen drastic shortages in staff over an extended period of time.

“We were surprised,” admitted Jason Carson, the administrator of the Sunset care home in Regina. “We were unaware of what happened in the Legislature.”

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He concedes that there are times when the home is left short of workers but he takes issue with Klassen's assertion that it's a common issue.

“We've been left short on the floor but when we are we have back-up plans, alternate job routines that we go into to make sure all care is taken care of,” he explained in a recent interview.

While some duties like daily baths are made a lower priority and usually skipped when that happens, he explains that they are made up the next day when the company is able to bring more staff in.

Carson stands behind Extendicare's staffing policies. He says there's no set ratio of workers to residents because the level of care needed can fluctuate depending on the needs of the individuals being looked after.

The staff level is set based on the funding they're provided by the health ministry (through the regional health authority) but Carson insists they can manage with what is provided.

Kathy Huack, Extendicare's regional director, added that in the past the home has even been in a position where there has only been one care giver working for every 19 residents, an allegation Klassen made. But Huack is adamant that there are other staff members that can help assist that person in their duties.

“That number wasn't a true number,” she stressed. “We have staff throughout the building that are there to assist that care aid.”

Carson said that in his eight months as administrator there were no cases of residents being abandoned on the toilet for hours at a time reported to him. Huack says that kind of neglect is “totally unacceptable” and would've been investigated immediately.

When asked about how their funding is decided Carson deferred to the Regina-Qu'Appelle Health Region. But he hints that it might not be as high as they'd like.

“We would all like to see a review of the funding ratios but that's really up to the ministry of health and RQHR,” he conceded. When asked if he feels Extendicare could provide a better level of care with more money he simply replied, “We would like to explore those conversations.”

The owner of William Albert House, a private care home in Emerald Park referenced in one of our stories, declined our request for an interview, saying through the facility's manager that the initial story is being, “sensationalized.”

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