Are nursing homes above the law? Exposing repeat offenders (Marketplace)

Warning: This video contains graphic content.
CBC Marketplace's new data analysis reveals 85 per cent of all Ontario nursing homes have broken the law repeatedly with almost no consequences - for abuse, neglect, medication errors and much more. This special hidden camera investigation features shocking video inside homes, a rare interview with a former nursing home inspector and our fight for answers.
To read more: www.cbc.ca/1.5770889
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[@davethomas543]

This is what happens when everything in a society is turned into a way to make a buck. We have sold our humanity.

[@eara8426]

So we should blame Nursing Homes for not properly training their workers and hiring less people in order to make more money.

[@erispapps9929]

We can't loss what we never had.

[@malkeitkaur3046]

Well paid union jobs. Humanity still exist check Manukhra di sewa ludhiana how people are healed and respected. This concept long term is a bad karma for what indengious people suffered. Be kind to everyone.

[@wqv5423ln]

​@@eara8426They're supposed to be trained before they're hired !

[@scootchieandboo7475]

I work at a nursing home ( for now) and I have 14 min to get a client up and dressed, shift is 6am to 2pm and I have 18 before to do before 9am ...the math says I need more time, I tell my supervisors over and over and I keep getting written up for residents being late because I refuse to hurry or not wash a resident so I take 25 min per resident on average....everyone hates me, my employer is threatening me but the residents are being washed and toileted properly until they fire me. I am a college graduate making 17 per hour no benefits and its rough. I've been doing home careful 20 years prior and took my time and was able to meet my clients needs. Edit I got fired today for not meeting time standards and not following protocol which they called playing favorites, regarding cleaning the residents. Apparently the care I gave was "extra". I cried so hard because I couldnt say goodbye but more so because a shower more than once a week for a person that soils themselves is considered extra. How cruel the administration is to the people that pay our salaries. I feel like a failure and I let down my family, they relied on me and I was disciplined multiple times but persisted. I should have left on my own and started my own homecare business years ago. I want to give the aging a more reliable and heart led service to help keep them home longer and out of the nursing homes. Xoxo for all the support and remember kindness is free so share it with EVERYONE XOX

[@mzrayza1011]

Dont stop too bad not all are like you.x

[@Sparkedbynatty]

Truly amazing really!

[@fairbanj]

At least here in the US the other sad thing is that even though these facilities charge insane amounts ($6,000 - $9,000 USD / month) the people who work there are typically paid barely over minimum wage. It worse than with teachers... a job so essential to our standard of living but as a society we are not willing to pay them more than barely enough to survive. My sister works on an Alzheimers ward and after 20 years is still making less than $12 / hour

[@JanJan4Infinity]

@@TraceLight thank you. I know this was not meant for me but honestly this is giving me motivation 🙌🏾 can’t wait to leave the industry of LTC

[@TeslaModelSPlaid3799]

Keep doing it the right way not the supervisor way

[@Trund27]

This is going to be horrifying. One of my biggest fears is being helpless and abused. I have no family who can speak up for me. Terrifying.

[@blaXkgh0st]

I'm in the same boat, this is a nightmare.

[@Muchjoy..]

I have no family either . I'd rather not think about it. Presently I have a few elderly neighbours that I check in on most days. Hopefully when I get up there I'll have someone like me too LOL

[@annetteslife]

That is the saddest thing because a large majority of those residents are put into those homes only to be forgotten. There are lodges for seniors that might be an alternative if you ever wanted to go that route. Lodges are similar but they are for seniors who can still maintain their independence but need that little extra oomph

[@annetteslife]

@@AbolitionistSocietyofTampa I have volunteered in quite a few seniors homes and I can tell you this a majority of those seniors have family who never come to see them and the only family they have are the volunteers okay! A lot of what you had said is *NOT* true! Yes there are a lucky few who has family members who come and visit them regularly but a majority of them were just left only to be forgotten!

[@annetteslife]

@@meghanb2767 one thing I would suggest and if the home has a spare room and if it is allowed is maybe have mom and or dad spend a few weekends there just to get a feel for the home before coming to a concrete decision

[@truth6612]

Criminal Charges need to be laid. Period. No more Excuses!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@campkira]

they are behnd old medical law when dealing with unsound old people...you still had to go to court for it since police don't had abilty to process them...

[@LadyUsakoB]

preach!

[@taylorstevens676]

We are trying the justice system has failed us

[@truth6612]

@@taylorstevens676 I hear you loud and clear. The Justice System has completely failed Seniors and their families. I worked as a Nurse in Long Term Care for over 15 years in both Public and Private. The main issue is lack of accountability. The sad reason why is that Society as a whole does not value seniors in these facilities. So why is that? A) A bunch of seniors who are viewed as no longer productive members of society and therefore not valued. B) The workforce in these facilities is primarily women and viewed primarily as secondary incomes and therefore not a priority. Think about this past year. Look at the size of different protests around the world regarding Black Lives Matter after a few were killed at the hands of police. In comparison, where were the large protests with litterally thousands of seniors dying in LTC facilities from COVID 19?

[@truth6612]

@@changeyourthinking2731 Providing that the police have the backbone to actually lay those criminal charges. There's also the charge of Criminal Negligence which is often used with those who drink and drive and cause accidents, injuries, etc. In the case of CIVID 19, with so many seniors losing their lives, charges of Crminal Negligence should have been laid. What is not mentioned in the Market Place episode is that excuses should never have been tolerated, considering that these are health care facilities who have a responsibility of infection control. This especially holds true after SARS. After the SARS Commission every health care facility should have been mandated to ensure proper PPE's and other measures were in place. Therefore, Criminal Negligence.

[@jzdst773]

Every year, Marketplace reports this kind of news without any repercussions.

[@06lilweezy1991]

Good. It’s the truth

[@cedricksamaniego9146]

Good news reporting that Canada 🇨🇦 isn't any better

[@FukaiKokoro]

Thats a great thing. We used to have real journalists here in the US as well. Until they where all where bought up by a small amount of rich people. That’s why all the news is pretty much exactly the same and just read off a script.

[@mksabourinable]

That's why we need to protect our public broadcaster! They're accountable to the taxpayer, not advertisers.

[@dianae1158]

@GNR Forever I watch it from Kenya.

[@bellejour559]

A senior saying 'What have I done?' and no one coming to help. Thank you to these family members for sharing their experiences and speaking out for the vulnerable members of our society.

[@fadumosahro8683]

Those family members failed them first, before the system did. No one will love or look after your family like you would. Sacrifice is a must!

[@Supercow-vb8sc]

If you dont trust aged care, 2 options: Taking care of your parents uself or hiring one to one nursing with 100 dollars per hours, that come up with 2400 dollars a day?

[@dianehess5520]

Speaking out isn’t enough, they should have removed their loved ones. It’s like leaving them in a burning 🔥 building.

[@laurenwilliams8072]

One of my biggest fears is living the last chapter of my life like this :/

[@ooo4616]

I would rather take my own life than end up in one of these homes.

[@hbarudi]

If there is room in your house, move your biologically related elder out of this mess and into your own home where you see them and take better care of them.

[@miss-africaz984]

Even if there no room in yr home , just let them live with you period yr mum or dad 😭😭😭😭 they give us everything pls stop putting yr parent there .

[@erikachristensen2217]

If I can’t trust a nursing home, which I will be paying thousands of dollars to to take care of my parents when they need 24 hour care, then it seems the only solution is I will need to be their caregiver. Even if I don’t have time to be their care giver, I will have to. Because I cannot just watch my parents be neglected. I love them.

[@koserparveen3245]

True

[@natlew867]

Exactly! People are acting as if they have no choice but to put their elderly/ill loved ones in these homes. Another option is to hire a personal support worker to come into the home and provide round the clock care. A lot of seniors could do well remaining in their homes with some assistance. Unfortunately not a lot of people are willing to sacrifice their time for the elderly..so sad.

[@moonxavier]

True! If people actually care about their own elder/parents they should take care their family of their own instead keep complaining!

[@ashleyjohnson8248]

Its because they wont hire enough staff. You are forced to work short all the time and stuff is not getting done its ridiculous

[@lilylavish2676]

@@Tan_Z these people defending her are asians.

[@carlel4219]

Thats their excuse. They are assassins in those places.

[@cubanenglish]

In poor countries we don't let our elderly alone nor in places like that, we take care of them !!! I feel so sad and angry about it!

[@salmabrard5176]

Some people need to work and can't do it in another way

[@cubanenglish]

@@salmabrard5176 Sure, that's why we pay to one of my aunties to look after my grandma ,who is 98 !! So, she doesn't has to stay on her own and my auntie doesn't has to worry about going to work because of the lack of money! We take care about each other!!

[@salmabrard5176]

@@cubanenglish sometimes people just don't hzve this money

[@PuffyWuzHere]

Yeah honestly the last thing I do will be putting my parents in one of these homes, even if I need to stop working. I cannot leave them in a long term care home, as someone who has working for some time in a place like that as a nurse it's absolutely the worse place to leave your love ones.

[@moonxavier]

In my poor country we NEVER put our parents is nursing home. It's very rare case, sometime we just hire a nanny to take care of them in our house but most of us take care of them by ourselves. People keep complaining about how nursing home is need to be reported to police bla bla bla but they never want to took care their own elder by themselves. You guys Westerner is so weird.

[@kacygibney6109]

My mother worked in a nursing home. After a week of being forced by management to neglect residents, she quit. She had rather be jobless than hurt the residents at that home. She wasn't given enough time to do her duties, she was forced to take full plates of food away from residents in the dining room because they didn't have time to wait for residents to finish...

[@azurekuzma3598]

A big point that is made in CNA training is to encourage and never hurry residents, no matter how long it takes.

[@tumble0weed]

My mom worked very temporarily at one as well. Her only responsibility was taking them out for strolls, in their wheelchairs or otherwise or just outside the facility. She realized that most of them were doped up heavily on antipsychotics. One man was so doped up on them and in a wheelchair, they claimed he wasn't able to walk. Somehow she persuaded the family to persuade the home to lower his dose, and apparently he was all of a sudden a normal chatty senior who was able to walk out of his wheelchair and dance in happiness about it. She was later fired for this, but claims that he was able to walk and it was improving his mobility and all of a sudden off the drugging, he had a personality and was able to speak. But as I said, they upped the dose, she watched him slide back into a semi comatose mindstate, and was promptly fired.

[@thestrongmermaid]

@@azurekuzma3598 that is what we are taught but its not reality. It's very sad.

[@thestrongmermaid]

@@bardownaint I agree with you Staff ratios are a problem !

[@andreamoscoso4065]

Wow!!! How awful they are!!

[@woodcarv101]

Not to defend the Abusers, but the real criminals are the profiteers and investors who demand profits over people. These are CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY and need to be treated as such!

[@chriszag702]

they call themselfs government

[@katkathaha8999]

@Luna 36 I believed to help the "shortage of staff" at long term care facilities is to hire and not "discriminate" highly qualified, responsible and productive employees. Just an opinion.

[@Crackrzz]

@@katkathaha8999 I think another aspect of this is the emotional and even physical toll it takes on caregivers and staff. This is very difficult work. You have to be empathetic, but you also have to move fast because, yes, the crap rolls down the hill and they expect these people to do superhuman things that cannot be achieved.

[@katkathaha8999]

@@Crackrzz if caregivers are expected to do things as "superhuman", logic dictates they will absolutely FAIL to provide quality care. Why??? Even "mechanical lifts" are charged first before they become useful and effective in moving clients. What more of humans? They need to hire empathetic and more qualified caregivers. There is probably an urgent need for an "overhaul/reforms" as regard the "Workplace Culture." Our seniors need to be cared and treated with safety and dignity, they built Canada. Just saying.

[@Hana.Behl-Lecter]

Not having adequate staffing is a HUGE factor in all this. Having your staff constantly running from one patient to another allows things to slip through the cracks that never would if they had the time to be thorough with each patient. Unfortunately a lot of facilities just don't want to shell out the money required. ....And sadly, there are others who are just blatantly neglectful, point blank.

[@Foofightersgirl666]

It’s so heartbreaking

[@ooo4616]

I don't believe it's simply staffing. People are not being trained or checked. In the UK you don't need any qualifications to work as a carer, zero experience either.

[@jyoungpa]

​@@ooo4616that's staffing too. They need to hire staff to do the training and the checking. Typically the people hired for those roles get pulled from those responsibilities to fill a care staffing hole.

[@mariedickson6119]

Port hope without hope.

[@ronnie-lynn]

As a health care worker in Alberta. I work in a hospital, but worked long term care over 15 years ago and I had to quit. I couldn’t do it. Not enough staff for the amount of residents literately having no choice but to take 3 hours to do rounds and change incontinent patients. By the time you finish you need to start over because people you changed first needed changing again. One head nurse for 30 residents to handle all wound care, catheter care and all medications. We had two maybe 3 nursing assistants for 30 patients patient care. Getting them all up and bathed and dressed, shaved and mouth care it’s just not even possible. The place I worked at had the night shift staff bed bath and half dress 10 patients at 4am so the morning staff could actually do showers. So much care can’t be done with that little of staff. The mould in dentures making patients loose there appetite and the foreskin on men that are so swollen and gunky from not proper peri care. I had to quit. After taking my concerns to my manager who told me it is what it is do the best you can. I decided I couldn’t be apart of it. Broke my heart. And also some patients have dementia and just call out and don’t actually need help. But I do know there is ALOT of negligence. One male patient was a night shift worker all his life and they would medicate him so he would sleep at night. Why not just let him do his thing he never bothered anyone. And dragging seniors out of there beds 7am sharp to get everyone up in time for breakfast when some are still half asleep. And probably would prefer to sleep in and have breakfast in bed. It was just impossible to give quality care to each patient with that limited staff. BIG changes need to be made. More staff. Meeting the residents where there at. Not forcing them all out of bed to sit around a table falling asleep all day. My wish is some action is taken and these things change. Our seniors need the change. ❤️

[@pollutedcrimson]

Thank you for doing your best in such a terribly ignored problem. We need more viable people like yourself to make these homes a safe and comfortable place to live. Greetings and Take care from Saskatchewan

[@makeupcraze21]

Same. I had to quit. So sad.

[@catherinelinton3444]

Thank you for everything you did. Thank you for sharing your story, hopefully you will help to make a difference. I can only imagine what’s happening now that there’s all the extra protocols and work that has to be done because of Covid.

[@blancagonzales4701]

It would be wonderful if you and other health careworkes that have proof would come together as a team to make a difference, make a change nationwide in nursing homes, come together-be the elderlies voices🙏✨God Bless

[@teekbooy4467]

Me too. Understaffing is the issue facilities want to save money. I have worked in 3 countries and by far working in a nursing home in calgary is the worst. Having 35 residents giving meds doing procedure plus carrying out orders i lasted only a month and a half

[@blaXkgh0st]

THIS IS DISGUSTING!! Authorities are so quick to give tickets for parking or driving. but people can torture older adults that are vulnerable!? Who are the employee's? Management and owners need to be punished! This is not ok!

[@ecoplan1]

Everyone needs to step up - otherwise we are all going to face these conditions ourselves someday. No one can escape old age. So when we are fighting for our elderly we are essentially fighting for our own well-being in the future.

[@Melodyofthesea78]

That's why I fought to keep my grandma out of the nursing home.

[@erispapps9929]

ahaha You think our generation is going to retire.

[@Melodyofthesea78]

@@erispapps9929 Retirement age will most likely raise into the 90's.

[@erispapps9929]

There's a chance we will pull through but there's not enough support for new energy sources, space travel, and economic reform. Likely things are gonna spiral down hill for us and their not much we can do about it. Its gonna be the that movie the road.

[@missnukkinfutz]

Exactly! I don't understand why more people don't see this.

[@jengcarreon614]

Same here in U.S. the shortage of staffing and employees are mostly burned out. I can’t stand this kind of facility when management do not care their patients needs.

[@ickiedeer-lamb7282]

My uncle was murdered in a ltc home in Atlanta Georgia just because he had alzheimers and wandered. I hope that home lost their license.

[@WAJDIflah]

20:15 The way that the minster is answering the questions is very telling. She must go.

[@sparx180]

WAJDI flah I agree. Why do we get the dumbest people in our government. They could care less about the elderly and it shows! Would these care givers want their parents to go through these horrors?

[@renkomon.8312]

I would say put that minister in one of those homes and have her suffer the same way. Then she will see that change needs to happen now.

[@cmr053]

She is the worst person to be responsible for this health sector. Obviously not doing anything. She is totally incapable of doing her job.

[@frankbyder9989]

The elderly disserve better than this. They built the country. Arrest the people in charge. Don't you understand you will also get old? Do you want to get the same treatment as you are doing to these elderly people. Shame on you!

[@annetteslife]

They fought for our freedom as well so they deserve better

[@MrMikidude]

Deserve*

[@roberttucker4196]

How many elites and politicians have you seen in nursing homes?

[@Optimistprime.]

Contact Ford. He has done nothing to help this.

[@thebuckwheatchannel5744]

They are under-staffed because they are FOR PROFIT. Gotta make sure their pockets and the ones of the investors are full.

[@woodcarv101]

And that is the root of the problem.

[@mzrayza1011]

It's all about the dollar signs smdh 😤😤😤

[@lloydchristmas4547]

Yep

[@any123-og]

It's all about a bunch of 💰s for the owner

[@ontario8531]

Even in city run, nonprofit homes, there is not enough staff. One PSW for 30 residents at night. Families often have to hire private PSWs.

[@jaghond448]

My heart broke when the guy was talking about his mom and not getting to see her before she dies

[@ahhwe-any7434]

I was working w/ someone exactly today that just passed. The med tech, another pca & I were in the office & he was like wth do I say to the family? I was like just say ,"_I'm sorry_ . Idk that's what the books tell us. Keep it short. She passed peacefully? I don't freakin know! 😓😢😥." Us running up & down the halls was like I have no freaking clue what I'm doing. I'm just here for moral support. 😔 _i never in a mill yrs that I'd ever be_ ____ the person who gets to say I've seen ppl pass. I don't imagine it any easier for other ppl in the field & in the likes. & ever getting used to it. Idkw I wanted to share that. But at least these folks leave in peace

[@gwynn8388]

Blame it on fauci and crooked big pharma

[@MrDigit885]

This issue is across Canada, not only Ontario

[@MyFavoriteColorIsBLUE]

In the USA as well

[@JohnBoonBeanDutchman]

@@MyFavoriteColorIsBLUE I have seen the given sleep medics about 40 minutes before dinner time, then sleeps at dinner time when the awake the not getting food, as they say as an excuse, sorry you had to eat when it be dinner time, and this only one thing, the rest be too much to write it down and probably in this virus time makes it even easier to get writ off those old people

[@MyFavoriteColorIsBLUE]

@@JohnBoonBeanDutchman I'm sorry to hear that. Why can't we value our elders as most of them have given so much to us?

[@matthewtyler320]

Perhaps so ; but as Marketplace's expose shows, Ontario is the worst offender provincially . I'm surprised by the lack of federal oversight .

[@lilylavish2676]

It's the asians

[@karlagarcia7887]

My grandfather is 99 years old and he lives with me and my husband. I could never put him in a nursing home.

[@carlel4219]

You are an angel for doing that. God will bless you. These nursing homes are shops of horror.

[@karlagarcia7887]

@@carlel4219 Thank you sweetheart. Blessings and love to you!

[@suzannemills7920]

You and your husband are angels

[@karlagarcia7887]

@@suzannemills7920 thank you sweetheart! Much love!

[@Morphedintoiat43]

You are what we hope for in a Daughter. 🎉You are Beloved.💜

[@Davidfca1]

1 Issues :No excuse to mistreated our elderly. I am a Psw. Imagine having 1 person taking care of 10 people. This means there is 2hr to get every client to the breakfast room early morning. Woken up, showered, dressed and transported for breakfast. 12 minutes to each client! IThis happens at 90% of the elderly care facilities. Please talk to our leaders so PSWs are not burned out and more money is Injected to hire more psw - so the ratio of psw hired is not 1 to 10. No matter what circumstances it is unacceptable to mistreat any one. I refuse to work in an elderly home and work home to home as I find myself glad to have the time to give compassionate care to my clients.

[@ontario8531]

I wrote our Conservative MPP and he was no help whatsoever. It is time to vote for different parties.

[@jennifermoriarty2188]

10 is an easy night

[@Scar-jg4bn]

1:10!?!? That's insanely easy. Try 1:30-60 who are mostly total care, incontinent and combative. You have no idea how good you have it. Hell, if I only had 10 patients every shift I might have stayed a CNA. 😂

[@wanderwaves-alt]

I work in EMS and my very first day on the job I went to a nursing home that single handedly convinced me that my parents will never be put in a nursing home. Ever.

[@hollyandlorifineart9591]

They certainly seem to be. Assault is assault no matter where it happens or how old the victim. This is beyond shameful.

[@angiedefreitas5060]

I've told my daughter that when the time comes that I am no longer able to care for myself that I will not be a burden to her but I will not go into a LTC just to be tortured and neglected. I'd rather lay on my couch and wait for the end. My parents are aging and my father has already stated that he'd rather 'end it' before suffering such an undignified end.

[@danr8194]

You my lady are the last of a dying breed. I salute you and I have asked for the same way when I get old. If I have lived my life and get to the point where I cant use the bathroom, that's my time. I'm going to sound harsh but truth hurts, aging population is a real problem. Economy suffers. We have a broken system which benefits the rich. Always has. Remember you can't take money with you.

[@ontario8531]

@@danr8194 There should be more technology used to help people manage to be independent. No one seems to be doing much research into this. Exoskeletons, robots to lift and transport people to the washroom... We have an archaic approach to caring for seniors who have disabilities.

[@letsthink8245]

@@ontario8531 True. If seniors had indvidualized approaches to care given their health status and other factors it would be more likely to be sustainable, safe, and realistic

[@Mikinaak2023]

I am 55 and I already feel like your father. If it comes to it, rather be dead than survive like this with others or LTC. I wouldn't even let a pet suffer this kind of undignified way of living. I made my choice while I am still of sound mind.

[@jesusisourking4ever]

Omg...what a joke of a Minister of LTC .....you will all stand before Almighty God ...shame on u

[@jesusisourking4ever]

@Glory to God Jesus is King ....Father, Son, Holy Spirit ....there is no other name under heaven which man can be saved .....may the Lord Jesus reveal Himself to you ....peace

[@anahita7459]

This report is glossing over how underfunded long-term care is and how poorly paid and overworked PSWs and nurses are. You want to solve the problem then seek to better the working conditions of PSWs/nurses. Until then, you can’t regulate/charge a workforce that very few wanna get into.

[@ontario8531]

We need this and also more community help for those who don't want to live in these homes

[@SuperSparky1957]

My sentiment exactly. Look who sits in the management position. They would never assist a patients not even in an emergency. Such job are not for them.

[@EngPMgt]

Elderly people should be lived with their extended family and surrounded by their grandchildren 🥰 they should spend the rest of their lives around their beloved ones

[@ontario8531]

That is the ideal. But the reality is that a small percentage of seniors need 24 hour care. At home, this costs over 100K a year. Not everyone can afford it.

[@ontario8531]

And some people don't have extended family in Canada because they are immigrants or children of immigrants.

[@ashleyadam955]

I agree

[@bubbles7398]

@@ontario8531 Plus what would happen if they are abusive not understanding to their grandchildren and it becomes dangerous? Sometimes there’s no choice for a child’s safety.

[@WJWeber]

These elderly are not able to function on there own. I’d argue they need extreme help. It requires training. It’s much more than feeding and help bathe. They also are far more likely to fair better in a community environment

[@magyar231]

For profit long-term-care often results in rationed supplies, ridiculously high patient-to-staff ratios, and low wages resulting in staffing holes and high turnaround. For profit healthcare means the top are only concerned about money, not the residents, not the families, nor the staff. Better regulation, better ratios, and adequate supply could make a world of difference.

[@bussineesname7322]

I agree. I work at a long term care after doing a 2 year diploma and a bachelor's I get paid $15 per hour with no sick leave no health benefits, no travel expenses and with COVID-19 extra work restrictions. How do you think it is manageable with always low staff and low pay. The government needs to pay the Healthcare workers for them to work properly and survive.

[@MKKS613]

Well said, many of these workers are underpaid and overworked. Often worked to the bone with double shifts and hardly any time off when asked. Of course there are always those bad eggs in every bunch, but for the most part it’s the companies at fault. They are only there to make money. Which causes all the things you listed above.

[@twistedyogert]

Would state-funded care be any better though.

[@ihanakaunotar2741]

Nah, in Finland government ones are worse. For profit ones are better in Finland, because if family members don’t like it, they move them to somewhere else. Government ones you don’t have a choice.

[@ihanakaunotar2741]

@@bussineesname7322 that’s part of the problem with “free healthcare”, all it is some alms and basically trying to save money on staff etc. how else can they afford free healthcare.

[@DancingSoldiersOfRa]

This is why we need publicly funded investigative journalism.

[@donniemcleod2381]

A nation can be judged on the way we treat our elderly, our animals and our environment we are failing and it will cost us dearly.

[@sylviemac1971]

Right now Ontario has 6,000 less Personal Support Workers that are needed to help with all these residents’ needs. Why? Minimum wage for backbreaking work, constantly short staffed, overworked and overwhelmed. These homes are not willing to pay full time wages and benefits either so many employees have multiple homes to go to. Add Covid to this and now you have over 6,000 dead seniors.... Not shocked to see any of this.

[@av8tor261]

My wife is a PSW and you are 100% correct.

[@JerrsAerialPhotographyVlogs]

@@av8tor261 My wife is a PSW too and she says the same thing!! and she works in Nova Scotia!! Its not just Ontario, its everywhere!!! If you dont have enough workers then, your always going to have problems!

[@av8tor261]

@@JerrsAerialPhotographyVlogs I agree. Here in Ottawa the PSW's have more then one job because the LTC hire only part time workers to keep wages and benefits down. My wife does private in home, one on one care now. I don't want her going back to LTC facilities.

[@mzrayza1011]

They would rather line their own pockets. I always say caregivers are just as important as doctors lawyers and other high income earners. They have people's lives in their hands and have to do and put up with things the average person cant handle. It's like looking after a giant newborn.

[@ethimself5064]

30,000 in 5 years?? WTF. This happens all across Canada and the Federal and Provincial governments could use some hard hitting criminal charges also. I should mention that that this has been happening for decades

[@resevoirdog]

They're just showing what happens in 5 years . Of course , it's been happening for even longer, centuries I bet

[@vicgamesvt9682]

@@resevoirdog do u mean decades?

[@resevoirdog]

@@vicgamesvt9682 nope . Lack of care for the elderly for profit is older than you may think

[@vicgamesvt9682]

@@resevoirdog will I dont know much about the 1800's so you may be right

[@yvettegrant3335]

That's right the government doesn't care so long as all relevant fees are being paid as well as their own pockets!.

[@meMiner]

I wouldn't treat a pet like this. The only answer is more money, monitoring and accountability. The problem is who should pay?

[@ontario8531]

All Canadians hiding money in Panama for starters

[@TraceLight]

Don’t look at us. Either make the money off someone who isn’t us. Or start shifting your funds.

[@Ali42869]

David, I’m so sorry to hear about the passing of your mother.

[@someone6333]

No one will take care of your parents as you would. Just pay your old debts by taking care of them as they have done when you were a child.

[@asl4life443]

It's not always possible. If you can, bless you. If you can't, no judgement. This is why LTC facilities exist.

[@GalaxyCatz]

Not everyone can even support themselves never mind a child or parent

[@overallwellbeingmatters4214]

Right! Many times my mom couldn't afford to take care of me and my siblings but she sacrificed and did what she had to do to make sure we were taken care of.. So why wouldn't kids want to do the same for their parents when they can no longer do for themselves?

[@TheCutiepuffs]

also FYI Ontario basically stopped doing checks during the pandemic. So who even knows how bad things are right now

[@Jakmommie2011]

And with families being locked out, we couldn’t even do wellness checks

[@thunderfire741]

Why have inspectors if they can't do anything?

[@joywebster2678]

McGinty (pre Wynne) put out request for Nursing inspectors. His plan was to have teams in each region of the province that would do annual formal inspections, and informal drop in inspections. Hundreds of us were contacted for interviews.....then the plan was scrapped.

[@annetteslife]

My grandmother lives in a nursing home. I have volunteered in nursing homes and have seen some of the horrors. One of the homes I used to volunteer at had a rat infestation so bad that they were crawling all over a helpless dementia resident. One other home I volunteered at another care home where a resident was told to wait 3 hours just to go to the bathroom to which I came very close to socking the nurse for saying that to her but instead I left that home and never went back. Thank God I had not been at that last home when that rat infestation broke out because I would have broken resident confidentiality and called the health inspector right then and there

[@mmmuuuuuuuuiiiiiiiiirrrrr]

I do not believe it is breaking patient confidentiality to call the health department. My family owns and operates a small personal care home, in the US, and if we suspected any mistreatment by any employee, we would DEFINITELY call the health department, immediately. Our employees would do the same. Fortunately, in our facility, we only have 6 residents. We also charge 1/3 of what nursing homes charge. Unfortunately, we cannot accept Medicaid/Medicare. All of our patients have to pay cash. Most use a combination of pensions, retirement and money from reverse mortgages or from selling their homes. If small facilities like ours could take Medicaid/Medicare, the state could save a lot of money, and save the patients and their families a lot of heartache &pain. We have time to help all of our patients.

[@montanadassios1093]

You should have called, but good on you for recognizing this sh*t

[@bl4nk701]

I have secretly made a vow since I was younger and that's ALWAYS been that I myself will be taking care of my parents when they are old and dying. Never would I put the trust in someone else especially in a place like a nursing home, idgaf who you are or how qualified you are.

[@kgthompson5814]

We tried to care for my step-dad as long as we could but unfortunately it became impossible. We put him in a nursing home in 2020 with every intention to see him daily then the virus hit and we were not allowed in the facility and it was probably over run with issues. He died that year from pneumonia, because he was inhaling his own vomit from being fed improperly but I can't plame the staff they don't have enough resources. It's the people running them that are at fault.

[@kathrynvanhinthum4537]

Well said thankyou 😘😘

[@KaylaHumphries-us8jq]

Your parents done right by you Be grateful

[@randamnedx]

I genuinely think it has a lot to do with staffing. As a staff member, we're not paid well. We are always understaffed and we are not treated well. I'd never act like this, as my caretaking is inspired by my parents and my religious beliefs. But it's so hard. Medication errors happen. People are rushed and understaffed. You report things and there's so much backlog it takes a while to get a response. I think the best thing you can do for your loved one in such places is to be there and see what is happening. Always ask questions. Always be vigilant.

[@hopemags9642]

This is why I just moved my mom into my home it’s now our home she will never see the inside of one of these homes as long as I am alive. My mom cared for my dad at his time in need and my mom will get the same care she gave her soul mate

[@kiara198923]

God bless you.

[@killiantownsend9486]

A couple weeks ago, my grandfather died due to neglect from a nursing home. He was coving in sores and hadn't had dialysis in over a week, and he had severe diabetes. He was taken to a hospital when we found out, and he had a stroke and went into a coma and had to be put on life support. A few days later we took him off because he was gone. He was only in his early 50's. My great grandma is currently suing for justice. I hope it goes well.

[@fengtianshi1090]

It's frustrating job for PSW, seriously, I cried first day on the field.

[@23paramore]

This has been going on for so long :( I remember when I was little, my grandpa was sent to a nursery home. His health and behaviour got worse there. I remember visiting him and the psw were so rude and I didnt like the way they treated my grandpa. Now that I look back, my grandpa has 12 kids and NON of them never took him in to their home. It breaks my heart. I will never send my parents to a nursery home. Our elderly needs better treatment and deserve respect.

[@sjbutler2330]

Your gramps had 12 kids and none of them would take him in? Why is that you think? Was he a good father? Did he abuse or beat his children? Was he great as a dad? Sometimes you don't know the real reason the families put their parents in a nursing home!!!

[@rubberducky1507]

Short staffed and poor wages !! These facilities are only about making profit... the amount of work we are expected to do is super hard... and well impossible...

[@burnchicken]

I agreed with you. I was a long term car staff specializing in geriatric care for 15 years and left for that reason. Now I work in other organization outside of long term care. The low paying salary is just not worth it.

[@neerumann4]

Understaffing and low wages is NOT an excuse for the criminal behaviour displayed by these monsters calling themselves care providers! If someone behaved this way on the street with anyone they would be charged without question!

[@jennifermoriarty2188]

No it isn't....

[@hpppp850]

Just close ALL the Long Term Cares in Canada... Take care of your own relatives and love ones... OR hire a personal caregiver!!!

[@areyoukidding1693]

There seem to be many of us who are very upset about the situation!! Is there nothing that we as a group cannot do?? This is so disgusting to treat our elderly this way!! We should all be ashamed that this has been allowed to go on so long!!

[@reaperincess]

We can start a GoFundMe for teens that want to go to school to train for this or perhaps to create awareness classes in schools in hopes to enlighten them. I'm honestly not sure but this is one of my biggest fears is going into one of these places... Either way, we can brainstorm together and actually create a group if you truly want to make a difference.

[@reaperincess]

It's insane that these abusers don't think long term that the exact same thing can happen to them when they're old..

[@carolinemole4667]

I'm facing these issues at Hawthorne place care center

[@esmycx7576]

I will never ever ever send my mother or father or anyone to a home. Their home is with me. They took care of me all my years now it’s my turn❤️❤️💪🏽

[@FRESHGARDNER]

Amen

[@wyettmunro470]

This is hard to watch i feel so sorry for the elders and just pure anger how can we just let this happen

[@anthonypeterson777]

Wait till you all find out what happens in group homes for foster kids, I know I barely survived 💯

[@gladlinar5883]

One of the biggest problem in these institutions are not enough staff. Many residents are not getting the proper care because of that. If a staff try to bring up any concerns to Management about the residents needs prepared to be out the door because they will fire you.

[@Dark_Harmony]

And if they fire someone over that, then they're making the situation worse, causing more understaffed issues.

[@lucasdacosta3835]

Everyone involved needs to be CRIMINALLY CHARGED! The cooperations AND the abusers been to face HARSH criminal charges immediately.

[@woodcarv101]

Not to defend the Abusers, but the real criminals are the profiteers and investors who demand profits over people. These are CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY and need to be treated as such!

[@kathygraham6251]

check your portfolios, make sure you're not a share holder. if you are dosomething!!!

[@justlooking2183]

Have cameras in every room. And if it keeps up make these devils wear cameras

[@derinaries]

No LTC home will pay for cameras. They will use it as an excuse to jack up the costs--which the residents will be paying for.

[@coffeeplease6141]

Bedsores are preventable! Repositioning every 2 hours. Change of position of patient from bed to change every three hours.

[@Crackrzz]

But the staff can't get around to them that often. That's one of the problems.

[@derinaries]

Exactly, Mandy. It requires STAFF to monitor the patient. There are not enough.

[@Anonymous-fj2uo]

And put them on an air mattress! Even just a little change of position helps.

[@lovelv1278]

I know David , I have worked with him . My aunt took her mom out of a home this summer bc she knew her mom wasn't safe . Unfortunately she died not long after but she was so happy she took her out and had that time to spend with her . She was 94 . At least she lived a long life . My dads cousin used to work in a home . She has told her children to NEVER PUT HER IN A HOME .

[@carlel4219]

At least she lived a long life? you sound like nothing wrong was done.

[@Lightning6433]

Omg, so horrific, poor old people in care homes. 😭 💔 😞 😫

[@ysabellacohen-monfared7219]

i know it is so sick. i can not watch

[@21stcenturymouse]

"This program has content that may be disturbing to some viewers who aren't sociopaths."

[@andreamoscoso4065]

I knew about these often hell holes, I will never let my parents go to one.

[@ma7608]

Completely disgusting to treat an elderly like that! Completely sad.

[@wisherz]

I was working in a long term care after 3 days I left. I cannot take how they treated the seniors there it's heart breaking

[@kiara198923]

Very

[@rajahjain5559]

Man I definitely am going to stay as healthy as possible so I don’t end up in a position like this.

[@montanadassios1093]

You can't prevent dementia or Alzheimer's....

[@user-dn9vd9xg9p]

Vulnerable abuse is unacceptable! Jail time for anyone that abuses anyone.

[@paulinebeal5808]

I worked with a lot of other PSW’s and there are so many bad ones. Once Someone left someone pantless outside a clients building and the person was on the ground in the winter. I called and called for help and no one showed until after I got the person home. I waited half an hour before I could find 2 non staff to lift her up. I was attending an event with my client at their building. It’s so bad. This was all the fault of that psw and the lack of staffing that night. There is so many people dying due to homes due to not hiring enough people and checking their staff for criminal backgrounds checks. For the sake of your loved ones please have them live with you and bring home care PSW that you hire, to take care of your family member.

[@dorissharp2206]

I think he should have moved his mom into his home and hired someone to take care of her when he has to go to work. He could even have camera in his home so he can check in on her while at work.. This is so sad. We all are going to get old I could be in this situation one day as well...

[@LaydeeLia]

If anyone treated my mom like that, I'd be waiting outside for the "care-giver" to get off work, and would be doing to the "care-giver" what they'd done to my mom, so that they would know **exactly** what it feels like!!! *Edit: that is, should my pleas & concerns fall on deaf ears when seeking justice through the proper channels*

[@mzrayza1011]

I'd be there beside you 💯💯💯

[@sabinecohen8369]

@@mzrayza1011 no one wants to do this work, not even family.

[@anthonymarquez6493]

You'll be charged for assaulting a healthcare worker

[@mzrayza1011]

@Dodge Ram sometimes us babies had to go to school or daycare so our parents could make a living to provide for us. When we were entrusted in the care of these people they expected us to be taken care of and looked after to a certain standard and I'm sure they would be pissed if anything happened to us too. It goes in roundabouts. For those fortunate enough to be able to look after their loved ones full time I am envious.

[@TraceLight]

You won’t get proper channel support, believe me I know how this industry works from the inside. You do what you have to do.

[@SimRacingVeteran]

This is why my mother is in my home. Not putting her in a place like this. I’ll be the 24h long term care.

[@theseusization]

The most terrible part is that these homes are run for profit and I'm sure the nurses that work there don't make much money at all and have families to provide for themselves. And the pressures of long hours and understaffing has pushed them to this stage. I think the real problems are within the owners of these homes and the management yet everyone is so angry at the nurses.

[@katherinedorton4562]

regardless of pay OR hours, nurses should still properly take care of patients. Its NOT OKAY that they feel the need to do this to another person. Thank god my state is different, Virginia will criminally charge a nurse personally if she mistreats a patient, plus the nursing facility.

[@princedarkness8029]

@@katherinedorton4562 unfortunately we arent as good as we like to think

[@rickboucher5238]

It's nearly impossible to give good care everyday to 10 to 12 patients in 3 hours as a CNA I spent 10 years doing it in a hospital and a nursing home honestly it's Criminal from the nursing home

[@jostallworth3087]

Thank you for doing this story. Especially important now. So tough to watch.

[@dianabacon9280]

I'm so sorry for your loss! That must be so hard on you! Working in nursing homes, it breaks my heart to see people treated like this. This coronavirus isolation in nursing homes has been so hard on residents with nothing to do in their rooms if they don't have a tv, ipad, or even a phone. If you have a loved one in a nursing home. Ensure there is a way you can make them feel less alone even if you can't be there to help them cope during this difficult time. Loneliness kills worse than this virus! God bless!

[@NewEyes25]

I’m currently in a Psw course. This is disheartening. It makes me think about my elder and realize I’m going to get old one day, who will care for me.

[@NewEyes25]

@@bardownaint I didn’t choose it because I want to help people. This is the card I was dealt since the pandemic. I will look into those options as well.

[@SimRacingVeteran]

@@NewEyes25- if you didn’t get into this to help people, it’s just a matter of time before you’re exactly like these people in these nursing homes abusing patients.

[@Mikinaak2023]

Welp buddy, you may be in the same boat as me. No assurances that someone would take care of me and I will be damned if I would suffer in those place. I am fifty-five now and of sound mind. Already made a living will, I want DNR orders and if I feel my quality of life is so degenerated, I will take myself out. Rather be dead than subside like this in a home or with others. That's not a life to me. We all have to makes choices eventually. I made mine before it's too late.

[@TRIX-wn2sl]

What about a lover I’ll be there for my wife

[@begood3799]

Stop leaving our elders in these places! They took care of you - now it’s your turn to care for them

[@overallwellbeingmatters4214]

Exactly!

[@MysticAngel3224]

This is really, really sad.

[@judithjackson1086]

When the NDP, Libs and Green party proposed the elimination of for-profit homes , the PC majority government rejected it then passed bill 218 the next day

[@resevoirdog]

The pcs care about money and not people . Well maybe rich white people

[@thehazelnutbar]

@@resevoirdog news flash: none of them care about you or me.

[@resevoirdog]

@@thehazelnutbar I agree but the small things help. Having French speakers representing my area which is over 90% speak French as their first language here in Winnipeg we were once outvoted during the popularity of the right wing in mid 2000s and hundreds of French speakers lost access to our french programs and I even had to leave a teaching program I was in and they essentially almost destroying our community in the name of keeping her promise to English developers who kicked out so many people and got back to the lib leader we had before that essentially restored all our rights and our bilingual tickets , stop signs etc...

[@ontario8531]

It is not enough to end profit driven homes. Senior care has to change.

[@Mikinaak2023]

No stripe of government ever does anything about these places. It's been going on since I left high school in the 80's.

[@upendersingh4386]

what the hell is this ? is there any reason why this is happening and why no action?

[@habsfan8681]

This has been going on for decades. It’s time for the government to step up

[@AVONCANADAQUEENLADY]

and the problem is alot of residents dont have families to come and see them in the homes so there all alone.

[@kevinjhonson5925]

This has been going on forever. I get so upset when the current government whoever is in power play the “we didn’t know anything was going on” game. Everyone knows what is going on anyone that says they don’t is lying. People need to go to jail.

[@torontotom3168]

You are right, any politician that says they dont know whats going on needs to step aside for those who know unacceptable

[@pleaseloveme1829]

I wish I could help these poor people I would even volunteer

[@pollutedcrimson]

God this segment made me angry and sad at the same time. These seniors deserve so much better.

[@maukan2361]

I'm a doctor and I've seen similar cases at nursing homes, however it's not a staff issue. they all care very much. It's more of a staffing use and not having enough people to help take care of the residents. As tough as it is, nursing home are unlikely to change unless they start to charge even more ridiculous fees to live there. As tough as it may be, get your elderly parents to live with you full time. You'll see even after a week how tough it truly is to care for just one person

[@ahhwe-any7434]

Prob most co.'s: The sh I've heard from some co workers: Employment:

[@ethimself5064]

19:30 - The Minister of Nothing

[@taylorstevens676]

Ty all for your support and love things need to change we are so thankful that CBC gave us the platform to share her story .. we are continuing to fight until justice is served !

[@lynnbuehle12]

Premier Doug Ford needs to be accountable now!!!

[@woodcarv101]

At the beginning of the Outbreak, Mr. Ford stood in front of cameras decrying with outrage, the care his mother-in-law was getting. He is the one with the authority to make changes, yet, he has done nothing visible to rectify the problems.

[@WolfenGamer]

Watching this makes me want to keep my grandparents and take care of them at home, they would be 100x safer at home than in a care home, kind of sad but it’s true.

[@childofgod6461]

There should be absolutely no excuse for abusive people. 😢

[@brandonstolz6283]

Hell is empty. All the devils are here.

[@juliaforgot1690]

I was a CNA for a few years and it is a very rewarding job. I loved it. Homes are always understaffed and rarely held accountable. It's was heartbreaking to see some of the things I seen. People being mocked, yelled at, left alone for long periods of time and so much more. Nobody should have to live in fear from the people tasked to care for them. After so long the good workers end up leaving and homes are left with the worst of the worst but patients have no choice. Its hard to even think about.

[@t_n_rasberry8387]

I love your investigative videos because they are so informative. I'm in the U.S. but still use your videos as a guideline for what to watch out for and share it with everyone I know. Thanks for the efforts.

[@annetteslife]

You know when the home is poorly run is the first thing when you enter the building and all you smell is rank body odor to which is disgusting. That should be the first clue as to whether or mom or dad should even consider living there. Last place I volunteered at over half of the residents living there smelled like they had not bathed or showered in days if not weeks. They were often left with very little to do. When there were activities the only people who were helping were the volunteers, all of the nurses were outside smoking their brains out. Not cool

[@ontario8531]

People are given only one bath per week. Shameful How many of us have a daily shower. Why shouldn't residents in these homes have the same.

[@alishabach5304]

This truly breaks my heart I was a c.n.a for a couple years some of my patients were being abused I reported it and reported it and still kept reporting it I had video footage of it and txts from some co workers taking nasty about them and how much they don’t care I ended up telling the families of the patients had to report it to the better business bureau and got out I loved that job so much but absolutely CAN NOT work for people like that it’s awful and I don’t understand how evil people are in general let alone to innocent people....one thing I loved about the job was hearing about their life and the cool stories they have, the elderly really teach you so much if you’re willing to listen

[@ccangii9766]

This has a been a big problem for way to long, I am happy to see some attention to this finally!

[@seaweed1068]

I'm 3 minutes in and I'm already fuming omg I am so mad

[@Sean-John]

As a Canadian I am disgusted and ashamed. This needs to change now and these people needs to be held criminally responsible. 🤬

[@seanc5226]

Not just in Canada I'm afraid,same sort of situation here.

[@meghanb2767]

You guys should do show on the homes that are doing a good job at taking care of the elderly as well. I work for one and these things would never happen there. We have so many caring psws that wouldn't let this happen let alone the company.

[@new-knowledge8040]

I could not believe how little action was taken in the response to COVID-19 breakouts in nursing homes. People were just left there in a hot zone, surrounded by walls. It made no sense at all. Well, this explains it.

[@retardedturtle67]

I worked as a PSW in a few nursing homes after highschool (2010-2013) and I never lasted at any. They literally expect you to yank atleast 6-8 people out of a deep sleep, wash them up brush their teeth and hair etc. dress them, within the hour. I will never forget in my orientation, just watching nice caring people have to move PEOPLE around like a butcher would on slabs of meat, then even sadder most of the residents seemed used to it. It upsets me to see that it hasn't gotten any better. For real care to happen it has to be at most 3 residents to one caregiver.