Doug Evans' plight (see story on page 1) unfortunately is not unique.
Seniors who require care but have not yet found a room in a care home, often end up in a hospital. Not only does this stretch health-care services in hospitals, but it is simply not the best place for seniors suffering from dementia.
Hospitals were not intended to be waiting rooms for care homes. As seen in Evans' case, his physical condition deteriorated and he was left susceptible to infections. And, of course, his stay in the hospital has removed the potential use of that bed for someone who does require hospital care.
Despite decades of promises from the provincial government (both the NDP and Liberals) it seems that improvements lag well behind all the lofty goals set out in press releases.
Last February Kim Carter, the B.C. Ombudsperson, released a report, "The Best of Care: Getting it Right for Seniors in British Columbia." The report had 176 recommendations, many of which covered care homes and making access to information and help easier for families and caregivers. We don't know how many of those recommendations have been implemented to date - but we can safely say that more needs to be done.
According to just-released census statistics, there has been a 38-per-cent rise in the number of seniors living in nursing or assisted-living homes since 2001. Given the "greying" generation, that number is sure to multiply in the next decade.
The provincial government has just completed yet another round of public consultation meetings to prepare for hiring a seniors' advocate. The pledge to install a dedicated seniors' advocate, who would give the elderly a muchneeded voice, was a great idea. We can only hope that the Liberals make good on this promise quickly.
The grey tidal wave of seniors is looming large, and nobody wants to see good citizens like Doug Evans and others having to suffer in their final years.
