Residents at Powell River’s extended care unit are concerned with the health authority’s plans to cut back on activity staff.
Elaine Steiger’s husband Max lives at Evergreen Extended Care Unit and she is secretary of the residents’ council at the facility.
She sent a letter, on behalf of the residents, to Kip Woodward, Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) board chair, explaining the negative impact that any reduction in staff will have on residents.
Currently, 75 people call Evergreen home, and plans to reduce activity staff on the weekend will have a huge impact, she said.
“When the residents do not have something to look forward to they spend more time in their rooms or in bed,” she said. Residents who are kept occupied, she added, tend to be in better health with fewer ulcers, back pain and depression.
“Residents are happier and more content when they can still participate in daily activities,” she said. “Recreational programs are an intangible asset but you only have to visit the Evergreen unit and talk to the residents to realize the program shouldn’t be changed.”
Anna Marie D’Angelo, VCH spokesperson, confirmed that with the new budget coming in next month, the health authority is planning on reducing activity staff on the weekends by 0.5 full-time equivalent (FTE). There is currently an activity staff level of two FTE.
D’Angelo said that the reduction is part of a budget review process to ensure that the health authority is operating within its means.
“We’re working with the staff and the volunteers so there is as little impact to the residents as possible,” she said. “We’re going to monitor the situation.”
D’Angelo said that activity reductions on the weekends make the most sense because it’s during those days that residents receive the most visitors from family and churches.
“There’s a lot of activity any way,” she said. “We felt this was one way to reduce but minimize the impact.”
D’Angelo said that she certainly understands Steiger’s and the residents’ passions and concerns and VCH will watch to see how the transition goes.
