Seeking Action for Safety in Long-Term Care Facilities

All About Resident-to-Resident Violence in Long-Term Care

The Stories – Seeking Solutions

Click on the following video clip to understand what is happening:

"Fighting for Dignity"

(The above video was made in 2020 by Terra Nova Films and is available for rent or purchase, we have no affiliation, we leave it here for demonstration purposes.)

Image courtesy of Stuart Miles
at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

This website was started when "Action for Safety" was being sought in response to the February 9, 2013 W5 documentary, Crisis in Care, reported by Sandi Rinaldo and the CTV team of investigators. Horrific statistics and stories of abuse were reported taking place in Long Term Care facilities in Canada. The focus was on residents with dementia killing other residents.

"In order to avoid future acts of violence, we seek solutions. Bringing this old story of violence in Long Term Care back to light is an opportunity to implement solutions, such as increased staffing, in a timely manner to assure safety for our most vulnerable."...

"Those participating in making change are working together, assisting one another towards a common goal. Rather than finger-pointing and blaming others, focus on action towards solutions." ...

A team of three dedicated professionals who all belong to the professional LinkedIn group, Gerontology Professionals of Canada, decided to team up to formulate a response to the W5 documentary, Crisis in Care. These three professionals, who are all committed to providing care to older adults and their loved ones, responded very strongly to this unfortunate state of affairs. Eleanor Silverberg, BA, Psych, MSW, RSW drew up the initial draft and asked Angela Gentile, MSW, RSW and Victoria Brewster, MSW for their contributions. Seeking Action for Safety in Long-Term Care Facilities was completed on February 20, 2013, and was forwarded to the following individuals/organizations (responses added in italics):

Prime Minister of Canada, Stephen Harper - Response received (see sidebar)
W5, Sandi Rinaldo, the investigative team and the producers
Federal Health Minister, the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq
Alzheimer Society of Canada, CEO, Mimi Lowi-Young
Alzheimer Society of Ontario, CEO, Gale Carey
Alzheimer Society of Manitoba, CEO, Sylvia Rothney
Federation of Quebec’s Alzheimer Society, CEO, Sandro di Cori
Ontario Minister of Health and Long-Term Care, Deb Matthews (response received)
Quebec Minister of Health and Social Services, Dr. Réjean Hébert
Manitoba Minister of Health, Hon. Theresa Oswald (response received)

The following additional individuals/organizations have also received this information, with a request for support:

Canadian Alliance for Long-Term Care
Healthy Living, Seniors and Consumer Affairs Minister of Manitoba, Hon. Jim Rondeau - He referred the letter to Manitoba Minister of Health for follow up
Minsitere de la santé des Services sociaux

"Do you think it is time for Canada to work on a National Strategy on resident-to-resident abuse in Long Term Care Facilities? A framework would provide each province with some direction in terms of prevention and management of this devastating and growing problem."...

Please feel free to share, comment below, offer your suggestions or comments on how we can work together to make our Long Term Care facilities safer for our most vulnerable.

Warm regards,

- Angela G. Gentile and Eleanor Silverberg

Keywords: solutions, prevention, management, older adults, elderly, seniors, Alzheimer's, dementia, cognitive impairment, abuse, assault, aggression, protection, safety, long-term care, nursing homes, personal care homes

Please click on COMMENTS below, to read what people are saying, and have your say.

Homicide in Care Homes

September 27, 2013 - This W5 investigation is again about resident-to-resident killing in long term care homes, with special focus on a 2011 Winnipeg case, following up with the victims family, the fate for the perpetrator and speaks with the perpetrators family. The issue we made for Seeking Solutions in our response to the last documentary was heard in that better options for care are explored, with a report on Saskatchewan’s Sherbrooke Community Centre Long Term Care Home that operates based on the Eden Alternative model.

2 Ways You Can Help

1. STRENGTH IN NUMBERS. Please write to your Provincial Government to let them know you want something done. Here is a link from the Canadian Health Coalition for more information on how to do that

2. Alternatively, consider ORGANIZING A RALLY like Camille Parent did. Click here for details.

3. Consider helping with awareness and supporting the cause by putting together a Facebook page or hit "Like" on this one: "Stop POP (Patient on Patient) Violence": https://www.facebook.com/stoppopviolence

Reply from the Prime Minister's Office:

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Dear Ms. Silverberg:

I would like to acknowledge receipt of your recent e-mail correspondence addressed to the Prime Minister regarding patient safety in long term care facilities.

Please be assured that that the time you have taken to write and share your views is appreciated. As you may know, primary responsibility for matters related to the administration and delivery of health care services falls within the purview of the provinces and territories. As copies of your correspondence have already been sent to various provincial Ministers of Health, I am certain that they, too, will have appreciated being made aware of your concerns.

Thank you for writing to the Prime Minister.

A. Opalick
Executive Correspondence Officer
for the Prime Minister's Office
Agent de correspondance
de la haute direction
pour le Cabinet du Premier ministre

Seeking Action for Safety in Long-Term Care Facilities

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Seeking Action for Safety (Click here to see all comments below)

All About Resident-to-Resident Violence in Long-Term Care

The Stories – Seeking Solutions

Click on the following video clip to understand what is happening:

"Fighting for Dignity"