Seniors living under tarps are victims of Conservative government
For immediate release | February 21, 2012
Alberta’s NDP Opposition leader Brian Mason is calling for immediate help for seniors whom Conservatives have left to live under a leaky roof and with poor handicap access.
“No Albertan I know would let seniors live under leaky roofs, with doors that won’t open for wheelchairs and an elevator that often breaks down. Dignity for seniors doesn’t matter to this Conservative government,” says Mason.
There’s been no action on the problems on Ward 7 A/B of the General Hospital for at least two years, ever since residents were told they’d be moved to a new facility, Villa Caritas, two years ago, according to family of one patient. But seniors were left stranded when the Conservatives moved mental health patients to the new building in order to close beds elsewhere. Roof leaks at the General were covered in a Jan. 27, 2011 news article, with Covenant health saying damage would be repaired in days. The tarps are still up.
“Conservatives have stranded thousands of seniors by refusing to end the shortage of publicly funded long-term-care beds. Premier Redford’s solution is to lift the daily living cost cap on private care beds, which don’t offer proper care or charge an arm and a leg for the ‘privilege’ of care,” Mason says. “The Conservative government doesn’t share the caring attitude of Albertans. With all our prosperity, Alberta can do better.”
Mason is calling for the government to immediately fix the problems at the General, or find the patients a new home. The government should then make public a clear plan to open more public, medical long-term-care spaces.
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