A committee’s decision to maintain current care levels at the Jubilee Residence is not necessarily permanent, prompting the daughter of a tenant to keep close tabs on the situation.
Loralyne Murray is among those who fought the Legion housing committee’s previously announced plan to end group home care activities at the seniors home.
Earlier this year the committee stated that as of Sept. 15, group home care activities would be terminated, but that date came and went with no changes.
That pleased Murray, but she’s still mindful
of the future.
“I still feel like everyone’s telling me it’s all just ‘for now.’ It’s for a, quote, ‘indefinite time,’” said Murray, whose elderly mother lives at the Jubilee. “It’s still the big shroud of communication mystery that seems to be continuous since all this started. No one is willing to give a direct answer.”
Murray said she would continue to seek information on the matter and oppose any move to revive the changes, which would include prohibiting home care aides from using the Jubilee’s communal kitchen and common area.
The Legion housing committee has not publicly discussed the situation. From speaking with health care workers, Murray said it seems the committee is concerned about the possibility of lawsuits.
She said she was given the hypothetical example of a tenant getting sick from eating food prepared in the communal kitchen. What if they decide to sue?
However, Murray also said a health care worker told her that an inspector had looked at the kitchen and determined it is suitable.
The Legion, which operates the Jubilee, had planned to withdraw from the Northern Health Region’s (NHR’s) group living program on Sept. 15.
Doing so would result in changes that include an end to on-site group activities organized by the NHR to help keep tenants healthy and engaged.
The changes would also mark the end of an overnight shift that places a home care aide at the Jubilee from 11 pm to 7 am.
While home care aides do not normally offer 24-hour coverage, the NHR felt that several Jubilee tenants would benefit from an overnight aide to conduct checks.
Another change would involve the NHR’s bulk meal program. Currently, an NHR cook prepares fresh meals for clients in the Jubilee’s communal kitchen.
If the committee’s decision went ahead, those meals would be prepared off site and delivered to clients.
Several Jubilee tenants are considered in need of the bulk meal program, but other tenants who do not need the program use it as a matter of convenience and socialization in the kitchen area.
