Deb Morrison has reason to celebrate. Her mom Annie Galpin is coming home to Innisfail for Christmas. And she will stay in town.
Galpin, 81, had been sent to the Lacombe Royal Oaks facility for long-term continuing care in March of this year as no beds were available in Innisfail for her. That is now changing.
Earlier last week, Morrison met with Sunset Manor to finalize her move back to Innisfail, tentatively scheduled for Dec. 9.
“We are happy that she is returning to Innisfail,” said Morrison. “The move to Lacombe was difficult for both mom and I, and with her return, visiting her will be so much easier.”
Morrison had concerns over the quality of care at the Lacombe facility, noting that her mother had been sleeping more than usual. She later found out that a sedating anti-psychotic drug was being administered.
After meeting with Sunset Manor, Morrison was pleased the staff remembered her mom and that she would be able to visit whenever she wanted.
“My mom needs us, and now that she will be three minutes away, I can be there very quickly,” Morrison added. “My brother, who lives in B.C., feels so much better now that she will be close to us. The move back is an amazing thing, and she will be happy to know that she will again be home.”
Innisfail-Sylvan Lake MLA and Wildrose Party health critic, Kerry Towle, was relieved to hear that Galpin was coming home.
“There is no doubt that the pressure we exerted in the legislature and through the media has been effective in expediting the move,” Towle said.
She noted that she has seen resolutions to long-term care bed issues after public attention has been drawn to individual cases.
Even the Barclay family, who refused a long-term continuing care bed in Red Deer recently for 88-year-old Nan Barclay, has not been contacted by AHS.
“We realize it is difficult for individuals to be in another community away from family, however in order to provide the most appropriate care an individual may, at times, accept temporary placement in a nearby community as quickly as possible,” said Kerry Bales, Central Zone lead for Alberta Health Services. “This is done in the order of the wait-list that exists for the facility of choice.”
“While AHS and the associate minister of seniors have publicly stated that there is no 100- or 80-kilometre first available bed policy officially in place, it seems that in practice, one has been put forth to deal with the backlog of cases,” Towle added.
Earlier this week, Towle's private member's Bill 208 that would have created an independent senior care advocate was left in the lurch, as time in session ran out on debate.
Wildrose Party leader Danielle Smith was disappointed in the turn of events.
“As a leader, and Albertan, I supported Towle's bill as it would have allowed an independent advocate to investigate such cases and to recommend solutions and to exceptional cases,” Smith said. “Bill 208 certainly would have impacted patient care across Alberta positively. Now we have to wait for the government appointed advocate to open the office promised since 2010.”
Meanwhile, Towle's office continues to receive 10-15 cases per day from families frustrated with Alberta Health Services handling and care of their loved ones.
“We will continue to advocate for families who have concerns over patient placement issues, facility conditions, and over incompetent care. Individuals and families in Alberta need a voice. Our seniors need a voice. ” Towle stated. “Until the official printed policy changes, and is implemented provincewide all the time, I will fight for patients and family rights to good quality care in their communities.”
