In advance of February’s budget, the Hospital Employees UnionĀ is calling for an immediate investment in the funding needed to bring seniors careĀ facilities up to the government’s own minimum staffing guidelines.
The comments come on the heels of a report from the B.C. Seniors Advocate which shows 85 per cent of B.C.’s residential care facilities are understaffed.
On the Island, that number is 95 per cent.
H-E-U spokesperson, Jennifer Whiteside says there needs to be an immediate injection of funding for staffing levels and those staffing levels need to be legislated and enforced….
WhitesideĀ says when care aides areĀ rushedĀ there’s not enough time to provide seniors with regular baths or timely toileting, answer call bells, make sure residents are well hydrated, and there’s little or no time to comfort residents who may be distressed, confused, or afraid.
