From the Desk of Carol Wodak
Care Watch Supplement Nov 22, 2020
QUOTABLES:
More and larger outbreaks are occurring in long term care homes, congregate living settings and hospitals, and spreading in Indigenous communities. These developments are deeply concerning as they put countless Canadians at risk of life-threatening illness, cause serious disruptions to health services and present significant challenges for areas not adequately equipped to manage complex medical emergencies.
Dr. Theresa Tam
Hot of the Press
Alberta News:
Alberta reports more COVID-19 cases on Sunday than any other province
Alberta reported 1,584 new cases of COVID-19 on Sunday, as the province recorded a new daily case record for the fourth-consecutive day.
It was also the highest number of cases reported in any province in Canada on Sunday.
Saturday saw the province report 1,336 new cases.
There are now 319 people in hospital — a decrease of one person since Saturday — but 60 of those people are in intensive care, an increase of four since Saturday.
Active cases in the Edmonton zone now sit at 5,479, an increase of 538 since Saturday.
Calgary zone’s active cases sit at 4,614, an increase of 220 since Saturday.
Dr. Deena Hinshaw will return for an in-person update on case numbers on Monday
UK News
How to Decide Between Home Care or Long-Term Care During COVID-19
Remembering my father’s advancing Alzheimer’s disease and my 10 years as his co-caregiver, each day brought unexpected challenges, new responsibilities and conflicting emotions (from grief to joy). I helped move him and my mother repeatedly, paid his bills and managed his investments, shuttled him to doctor’s appointments and in due course, served as his joint guardian and alternate trustee, making key life and financial decisions for him.
And now there’s yet another issue – the coronavirus pandemic, which hasn’t just hit long-term care facilities, it’s also hitting family caregivers.
Should a loved one stay in a care facility, move elsewhere, come to a family caregiver’s home and rely on care provided by one or more family members or receive professional home care?
If I were still caring for my dad today, this wouldn’t have been an easy decision.
More family caregivers seem to favor home care during the pandemic, says Veronica Tissera, vice president of customer experience for Nurse Next Door Home Care Services in Vancouver, Canada.
Some people are contacting home care companies earlier than in the past due to concerns about COVID-19 in long-term care facilities.
CAREWATCH BACKGROUND
CAREWATCH is Inspired by Carol Wodak founding member of CITIZEN WATCH
BACKGROUNDER: CITIZEN WATCH was created as a public service for the people of Alberta. It was the work of an ever-widening network of individuals from across the province, including families and friends of long term care and assisted or supportive living residents and those requiring long term care supports in their own homes. CITIZEN WATCH WEBSITE
RECENT PRINTABLES
INDEX (CLICK on Carol’s contributed collated collections by date)
Care Watch Nov 16, 2020 Carol Wodak Supplement
Care Watch Reprised November 15, 2020 Carol Wodak Supplement
OTHER PUBLICATIONS
- STAYING APART TO STAY SAFE The Impact of Visit Restrictions on LongTerm Care and Assisted Living Survey BC Seniors Advocate Isobel Mackenzie November 2020
- Nursing Home Basic Care Guarantee RNAO Submission to the Long-Term Care Staffing Study Advisory Group
- 18 May 2020 Old money Tortoise Thousands of care home residents are dying from Covid-19, and staff are on minimum wage. But in the background, big profits are being made. Ian Birrell investigates a broken industry
CLICK for Carol’s complete collection of carefully crafted carewatch content