QUOTABLES:
We’re well into the second wave. . . . There’s still double (the daily case count) that there was in the first wave. I continue to be disappointed but I shouldn’t be surprised because I think it’s clear they’re hiding from accountability and they didn’t learn anything during the first wave, otherwise we wouldn’t be in the mess we’re in now.
Sarah Hoffman Opposition NDP deputy leader responds to “Third-party review meant to inform Alberta’s second-wave COVID-19 response expected in new year”
SALTAlberta’s own Carol Wodak (CAREWATCH) was interviewed by Family Councils Collaborative Alliance
The LTC Chronciles Podcast – Carol Wodak – SALT ABLERTA
Alberta LTC COVID Cases Dec 21, 2020
225 Affected Homes
5415 Total Cases
526 Deaths
SHAME ON YOU, SHAME!@DrVivianS @Priorhockey @dg_grrl @DrFullertonMPP @OntarioHealthC @DrAmitMitra #carenotprofits pic.twitter.com/e1xLjM3oYP
— Maureen McDermott (@Moe54577251) December 25, 2020
Long-term care homes in Canada: How many and who owns them?
BREAKING NEWS
You know what really irks me? If I was the Minister of LTC, I'd be on a constant travel loop to each LTCHome to assess their progress & set outbreak contingency plans. I'd be talking to staff + residents + families DAILY (AS I DO ON THE SIDE FOR FREE AS A RANDOM CIVILIAN).
— Dr. Vivian Stamatopoulos (@DrVivianS) December 26, 2020
Extendicare, Sienna Senior Living and Chartwell Retirement Residences, in the first three quarters of 2020 (ending Sept. 30), collectively paid out nearly $171 million to shareholders while at the same time taking $138.5 million in pandemic funding from taxpayers. #onpoli https://t.co/QRBmhcyOuw
— Keith Leslie (@QPnewsboy) December 26, 2020
Family members and workers try to boost holiday spirits at long-term care homes https://t.co/Bafd9WzwMz pic.twitter.com/lFcPfKDz7G
— CTV News (@CTVNews) December 26, 2020
Canada News:
Provinces that acted faster had more success limiting spread of COVID-19, data shows
Analysis of new data suggests Atlantic provinces that remained on high alert had effective approach
As the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic continues to hit many parts of the country, provinces that were quick to act with strict containment measures have been more successful in limiting the spread, a CBC News analysis has found.
Using data from Oxford University that tracks provincial government responses to the contagion, we see within Canada a trend that has been observed in other countries: when authorities are slower to respond to a rise in new cases, it becomes more difficult to bring the spread under control.
“It’s not just about the public health measures. It’s also the timing of implementation of those measures. The timing is one of the most crucial factors,” said Saverio Stranges, professor of epidemiology and biostatistics at Western University in London, Ont.
The Oxford COVID-19 Government Response Tracker evaluates governments based on several measures, including containment policies (travel restrictions, school closures), health policies (mask usage, testing programs), and economic policies (wage subsidies, debt relief).
After nearly 10 months of pandemic and two waves of infection, the data tells a clear story. Provinces that remained vigilant, particularly those in Atlantic Canada, avoided major outbreaks, while some that dropped their guards have struggled to contain surging case rates.
Long-Term Care Is ‘Dangerous.’ What’s Ontario’s Plan For Alternatives?
Every night for the last five months, Robin Nelson has laid down to sleep beside her mom Ann’s hospital bed, on the couch in her living room.
In August, Ann was sent to hospital — for the second time during the pandemic — and found to be dehydrated. When the hospital tried to discharge Ann, Nelson refused to have her sent back to the long-term care home, Extendicare Lakefield, north of Peterborough, Ont., where Nelson believed her mom wasn’t receiving adequate care.
So she brought her home.
Providing home care wasn’t new to Nelson. Before Ann moved into Extendicare in July 2019, she had been at her daughter’s home for three-and-a-half years. Nelson said she eventually became burned out, unable to keep taking care of her mom — the supplemental help from home care often unreliable and poor quality.
Management at Windsor LTC home in major COVID-19 outbreak filling in as PSWs
The home says Red Cross was on-site to see how it can help
A Windsor long-term care home experiencing the region’s largest COVID-19 outbreak has pulled in staff and volunteers from across the public health care system to keep up its operations and care of residents.
The home says management has even stepped in as personal support workers.
As of Tuesday, The Village at St. Clair had 147 COVID-19 cases — 97 residents and 50 staff, according to the local health unit. According to provincial data, eight residents have died.
With that number of staff off sick, the home said in an emailed statement to CBC News Tuesday evening that it is short a number of staff, but outlined the ways it is addressing that shortage.
For complete CAREWATCH updates click here
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