By Michael Kary
There are times when almost on a weekly basis it seems like the news media in Canada report on the alleged mistreatment of, or substandard care being provided to seniors in long term care, assisted living or home health. These stories have entered the public’s consciousness, helping them to form a negative impression of seniors care.
In particular, the tragic Elizabeth Wettlaufer case in Ontario where a nurse was charged with the murder of eight residents in an Ontario long term care home[i] has caused shockwaves among seniors, their families, and among care providers themselves. While not on the same scale as the horror surrounding the Wettlaufer case, other stories showcasing elder abuse or mistreatment have also shaped a narrative around seniors care.
For example, while a September 2018 BC Office of the Seniors Advocate report highlighted significant reductions in the use of antipsychotics in long term care (about 31.2% decline over five years)[ii], this positive development was largely overshadowed by media reports that showed the use of these drugs as way too high.[iii]
Not surprisingly, these news reports feed into a public perception where seniors are being over-medicated, elder abuse is running rampant, and that the care being provided to seniors is of poor quality. Long term care, in particular, has been challenged by stories describing substandard care. However, it overshadows what most family members and care providers know — that excellent, vital care is delivered daily in the overwhelming majority care homes across Canada.
This does not mean seniors care providers do not have a responsibility to address service gaps where they exist. But the sector does have a role to play in preserving its own reputation.
By not telling a more positive story, there are several implications.
Along with stigmatizing views associated with continuing care, these perceptions can make it more difficult to recruit much needed health professionals to seniors care.
Overall, many seniors when surveyed are quite satisfied with the care they receive. Care providers themselves work hard to improve the quality of seniors lives, and are also say they are happy with their career choice.
Such a narrative may overshadow many of the positive stories — like system wide improvements in providing care, or improving quality of life for seniors including reductions in use of antipsychotics, or the many heart-warming stories that are occurring daily in seniors care.
So how do care providers address the challenge it faces from negative stories? Of course, they must ensure that the care is excellent. But what else can the sector do?
BC Care Providers Association (BCCPA) will diving into a discussion on this topic at a special Care to Chat on November 23, 2018 entitled Risky Business, at the Terminal City Club in downtown Vancouver.
For this Care to Chat, panelists representing both national seniors care companies and the media will have a frank discussion regarding the current state of continuing care in BC and Canada, as well as how it is portrayed in the media.
The panel will also discuss ways to proactively represent the positive side of the work happening in seniors care, including through crisis management, as well as better dealing with the stigma and misconceptions of continuing care.
This event also builds on an April 2015 Care to Chat BCCPA hosted, which looked at some of the prevailing myths and misconceptions of BC’s continuing care sector following a major public survey undertaken by BCCPA earlier that same year.[iv]
We hope you can join us November 23rd for what is expected to be a very engaging and productive discussion. In particular, we hope you will join us and the panel to share your ideas on how we all can work together to address reputation challenges facing the sector.
END NOTES
[i] CBC News. ‘Gross incompetence’: Son of Wettlaufer victim breaks down during testimony. September 24, 2018. Accessed at: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/london/wettlaufer-inquiry-to-hear-testimony-from-families-of-nursing-home-victims-1.4835779
[ii] BCCPA. Antipsychotics use in LTC drops 31.2% since 2013. September 26, 2018. Accessed at: https://bccare.ca/2018/09/antipsychotics-use-in-ltc-drops-31-2-since-2013/
[iii] Victoria Times Columnist. Too many seniors in care getting antipsychotic drugs, advocate says. Camille Bains. September 20, 2018. Accessed at: https://www.timescolonist.com/too-many-seniors-in-care-getting-antipsychotic-drugs-advocate-says-1.23437491
[iv] BCCPA. Blue Ribbon Panel Provides In-Depth Poll Analysis. April 28, 2015. Accessed at: https://bccare.ca/2015/04/care-chat-panel-provides-deep-analysis-poll/
