Caregivers in Canada’s oldest demographic seek more relief, care for seniors
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A delegation representing caregivers in the Oceanside area of mid-Vancouver Island, B.C., delivered a petition to Qualicum Beach City Council on Wednesday, calling for more respite and seniors care facilities in the area.
The petition’s leader, area resident Carol Dovey, says many people caring for a loved one in Oceanside are in crisis and need help now.
“People have to wait six months to two years, depending on their diagnosis,” Dovey said, referring to long-term care beds.
“Caregivers also have to wait at least six months to get relief.”
Respite is a temporary location in a facility for the person needing care, which Dovey says gives caregivers time to recharge before going back to the 24/7 support they often offer.
At last count, Dove’s petition had 2,260 signatures. The delegation also gave 188 letters of support.
Individual wait times: Island Health
Oceanside – which informally encompasses 12 communities, including parts of the Nanaimo Regional District, the City of Qualicum Beach and the City of Parksville – is one of a handful of B.C. Largest percentage of older residents in all of Canada.
In Qualicum Beach, 56 percent of residents are at least 65 years old. in parksville, Residents age 65 and older make up 46 percent of the population – more than any other urban area in the country.
In a written statement, Island Health says it has three respite care beds available in the region. The health authority says these can be booked in one-week blocks up to six months in advance.
“Wait times vary depending on individual care needs and demand for respite care fluctuates significantly depending on the season,” the statement said.
“In autumn and winter, most people can book a respite stay within four weeks of request. When demand increases in spring and summer, people may need to make their booking months in advance.”
Island Health said caregivers can also book in advance in nearby areas, such as Nanaimo.
The health authority says it is also on this path Open a new senior citizens facility in nearby Lantzville35 kilometers from Qualicum Beach, which will add 306 long-term care beds to the system.
It is also opening a new long-term care facility in Campbell River, about 110 kilometers north of the city.
BC Seniors Advocate Dan Levitt says BC will need about 16,000 new beds by 2036 to meet growing demand. He says the shortage is due to a lack of investment from the province, particularly the construction of new care homes in response to increased demand from the aging baby boomer population. On BC Today with host Michelle Elliott, he answered a caller who had to care for his elderly mother on the waiting list for a long-term care home. He says care and financial responsibility has shifted to family caregivers.
‘I’m worried what will happen’
But Dovey says these facilities are too far away for local caregivers, and help is needed soon.
“By the time our caregivers call, they’re probably about to reach their breaking point,” Dovey said.
“R“Now is the time when we need help.”
Caregiver Terry Champagne agrees. She was part of Wednesday’s delegation.
Champagne told the council she is the sole carer for her 94-year-old mother, who has complex health needs.
He said, “I have suffered a nervous breakdown once and I hope it won’t be the last.”
“I worry about what will happen if Mom is waiting years for a nursing home facility, and I’m completely exhausted.”
Qualicum Beach Mayor Tunis Westbroek told CBC News the council appreciates the work Dove has done so far.
“I think it was a very worthwhile presentation and it definitely needs attention, especially with our demographics,” she said, adding that the council intends to advocate for more respite care.
But Westbroek says there are enough long-term care beds in Qualicum Beach.
He believes that small facilities are needed in rural areas – some Vancouver Coastal Health recently launched – So that people in need can live in their communities instead of placing a burden on nearby municipalities.
