Are current cooling standards in long-term care enough? Advocates say no
Global News
Seniors' advocates are raising concerns about a lack of federal funding and clear and consistent mandates needed to keep residents in long-term care homes cool this summer.
As the country breaks heat wave records this week, some advocates are raising concerns about a lack of funding and clear and consistent mandates across Canada to keep vulnerable residents in long-term care homes cool.
It is currently the responsibility of each province and territory’s government to develop and enforce standards for individual long-term care facilities, which includes air circulation and temperature control. Many provinces’ policies are informed by national standards recently updated this year, but they are not mandatory.
Some advocates say the inconsistency is part of what has led to some long-term care homes operating without proper cooling measures needed during hot weather.
“We obviously need to make it a standard rule that we have central heating and cool air in all of these facilities,” said Vivian Stamatopoulos, a long-term care advocate and professor at Ontario Tech University.
“We know there’s a well-known correlation between high ambient temperature and negative health, particularly among seniors. The fact that we don’t have basic standards at every facility, knowing that climate change is real and knowing that we are only going to see more extreme health-related events in the next few years … this is clearly an area where elected officials dropped the ball.”
The federal government announced in February that they will be investing $198.6 billion over 10 years to improve health services for Canadians with a focus on key health priorities, including helping Canadians age safely and with dignity.
“As a government, we will continue to our work with provinces and territories to help all Canadians, including seniors, get the care they deserve when and wherever they need it,” Minister of Health Jean-Yves Duclos said in a press release.
“We will also always ensure that those who live or work in LTC homes do so in a positive, safe, and quality environment.”