Dear Editor:
The purpose of this letter is to empower seniors and their families with knowledge that is crucial to have when standing up for their right to be protected from abuse or neglect in a senior care facility.
It will enable them to demand a better quality of care afforded them by Bill 17, the Residents Bill of Rights.
Residential Care Facilities are governed under two different Licensing Acts – the Hospital Act and the Community Care and Assisted Living Act” (CCALA).
Every person in residential care, private or government-owned, subsidized or not, are to be protected. There is a list of “20 Reportable Incidents” for those living under the CCALA.
They include neglect, falling and choking.
Section 77 of the act requires the facility to report any of these incidents to the residents’ representative, their nurse and the regional medical health officer immediately.
An Incident Report must then be sent to the Community Care Licensing Office immediately. A confidential complaint can be made by a resident or their representative to the Patient Care Quality Office. They have 40 days to report back to you with the results. A confidential complaint can also be made to the Community Care Licensing Office by anyone, including employees. When making a complaint to anyone, always get your case workers name and your case file number.
You can also report abuse or neglect to the Ombudsman at 1-800-567-3247 or the Senior Health Care Support Line at 1-877-952-3181. I welcome a letter from anyone who wishes to share their experiences. Write Judy Galley at 2433 Sherry Road, Sorrento, B.C.
Judy Galley
Sorrento, B.C.
