Angry families are coming forward with disturbing stories about the provincial government's hotly debated 100-kilometre, first available bed policy.
It is an issue that has become a political hot potato fro Alberta Health Services, from Calgary to Edmonton, and in Innisfail.
This policy states that for any patient on the wait-list, once a bed becomes available within 100 kilometres of their home community, the patient must move within a specified time frame. According to Minister of Health Fred Horne in the legislature last week, that policy was rescinded in June of 2013.
Innisfail Sylvan Lake Wildrose MLA and health critic Kerry Towle directly questioned Horne Nov. 25 in the legislature on the topic of the 100-kilometre, first available bed senior care policy. Horne repeatedly stated that there is “no 100-kilometre rule.”
The policy has impacted the Morrison family of Innisfail. Deb Morrison's mother had been living in Country Manor, and had fallen twice and was hospitalized. Upon treatment in the Innisfail Health Centre, she had been deemed a fall risk, and once a bed became available, she was given a two-week time frame in order to prepare to move to the Lacombe Royal Oaks facility.
Prior to the move, Morrison had received a phone call from Sheila Sutherland, RN case coordinator, Innisfail Community Care, informing her that a bed was available for her mom in Lacombe. She was further informed that if she did not move, her mother's care would cost $1,000 per day or she could move her mom into her own home. She chose to move her mother in March of 2013.
She said the care at Country Manor and Innisfail hospital was good, but they were unable to provide longer-term care for her dementia issues. “The front-line staff provided excellent care for my mom, and both staffs were very kind.”
Her trip to see her mom is now a difficulty.
“A two-way trip is 165 kilometres, and unlike when she was in town, I can't just pop in and sit by her. I am her primary caregiver, and I do need to be near her,” Morrison said.
“My mom sleeps a lot, and while there are some activities, she is not as active as she might be able to be,” Morrison added. “Her physical needs are being met, but her emotional side is suffering. One or two visits a week is not enough.”
Towle has been working with Alberta citizens who have been adversely affected by this regulation. She has recently brought forth the case of Nan Barclay as told in the Province Nov. 26 and is working with Morrison to return her mother to Innisfail. Every day, more cases come to Towle's attention.
Innisfail's Jackie Hodges fought a similar battle in October of last year.
Her brother-in-law, Clarence Hoffman, 91, had been in Innisfail hospital for four months with pneumonia, and required long-term care as he was unable to operate the oxygen equipment necessary for his well-being. He wanted to go to Rosefield Centre, and was on the waiting list.
Hodges received two days notice from the placement coordinator to have Clarence moved to Ponoka, nearly a 100-kilometre drive.
“I was given no long-term notice, and no options,” she added. “In the past, we had heard that while waiting for a bed in Rosefield, families could pay $1,600 per month just as if the senior was living there, and move once a bed opened up. That option was gone.”
She moved her brother-in-law to Ponoka, at her own expense.
In the Innisfail hospital the care was top-notch, but once Clarence moved to Ponoka, Hodges said patient care declined.
“The staff could not even operate the simple oxygen equipment he needed to live, and he was even given inoperative machines. We were livid, and contacted AHS patient relations,” Hodges said. After two weeks Hoffman was transferred to the Rosefield Centre, and passed away a week later.
She said AHS officials did contact her and express their concerns over the lack of training and had since undertaken such for the staff at the facility, said Hodges. But, she added, it was too late.
“I had heard several months ago that AHS was going to change their policy on sending these vulnerable people to places away from their comfort zone, but after reading Jean Barclay's story, I'm saddened to find it is not so. I was hoping we had in some small way made a difference,” she said.
Towle said she is passionate about patient care. “The solution is simple, community care facilities should have the ability to allocate patient beds, instead of placement coordinators,” she said. “Local hospitals and professionals know their patients, and family histories best.
“My office has been in contact with Minister of Health Fred Horne and Associate Minister of Seniors George VanderBurg with regards to placement issues,” Towle stated. “I continually receive files from concerned families, and advocate for them.”
Vanderburg told the Province “we actively try to place seniors in both acute and long-term care as close to home as we can.”
He admitted there is a problem in terms of capacity; having more patients than beds in the system.
“The government has committed to providing 1,000 new spaces in facilities every year for five years,” said Vanderburg . With our announcements of spaces in Rocky Mountain House and Red Deer we are pleased with our progress in Central Alberta. What we do know is that the number of beds, both single and couple based units, will never be enough,” he added.
When asked about the availability of beds in Innisfail and area, both now and in the future, he noted that AHS determines through their analysis where facilities should be located, and what type of care is required. He had not received any idea of what his budget allocation was for the upcoming year, nor where he might be looking to partner with local care providers.
“One thing that we have noticed is a marked increase in dementia related conditions, and that will weigh into AHS decision making. I understand how tough it is to move a parent away from home, friends and family,” VanderBurg said. “If we can keep a patient in their community, we try to.”
VanderBurg stated he did not personally have specific knowledge of individual cases, as his department oversees 7,000 to 8,000 patient transfers and assignments. He added that his department looks after specific inquiries when they are brought to its attention.
Kerry Bales, spokesman for the AHS central zone, added there is a “process for patient care, once they are assessed for long-term or acute care, we try to find an appropriate bed where they live. The 100-kilometre policy is no longer in place, and if the family refuses the available bed, the patient can stay where they are, with no fees above and beyond the standard continuing care accommodation rate. Any exceptions to this should be reported to us and we will look into the situation.”
He further stated that they are doing their best to be clear in the options available to patients and families.
“With the recent change to policy, we are presently reviewing the policies in place to ensure fair treatment for all patients. When we are able, we will have information available upon request,” he said.
Bales admitted that planning for health care is difficult with every case and community being different.
“We want to be able to provide patients of all ages with the right care, in the right space. That is our challenge,” said Bales.
