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Alternative Level of Care (ALC) Crisis - News - Action Request from Friendly to Seniors Board

For Your Information:  The full version of Article in Northern Life today below - similar letter in Star yesterday by fellow Frindely To Seniors (FTS) board member John Gaul... Both CEO of Hospital and LHIN deny Memorial suitable for ALC patients currently at Regional site . Who is pulling their strings?  Our new Regional Site is not fully functional and ALC patients are being denied best treatment - Common sense solution is available - Public Awareness and Action needed - any ideas welcome. 

John Lindsay

Chair, Friendly to Seniors – Sudbury

Member, Mayor and Council’s Seniors’ Advisory Panel  

Special Report – Sudbury Regional Hospital Not Friendly to Seniors    -   December 2010

The Importance of keeping the Memorial Hospital ALC Transitional Care Unit Open.

If a community is judged by how it treats its less fortunate including the sick and the elderly then we have failed the Alternative Level of Care (ALC) patients who are now and will continue to occupy beds at the Sudbury Regional Hospital.  

Not only do they not receive care they would expect in a regular nursing home, they are now to be denied access to the Transitional Care Unit at the Memorial Site when it is scheduled to close in March of 2011.  This Unit currently provides much of the same care available in a regular nursing home and was set up for this purpose until appropriate accommodation should become available.  This will occur for the approximately 130 ALC patients at this facility when they will move to new nursing home beds in Chelmsford and other locations. 

This, however, does not address the needs of the approximately 50 to 60 ALC patients at the Sudbury Regional Site who are located throughout the hospital taking up beds that would be otherwise available for regular patient care and has resulted in overcrowding in the emergency department plus frequent cancellations and delays in surgeries or other medical procedures.  Medical and support staff have expressed their frustration on numerous occasions as the result of this untenable situation.  Hospital officials had originally requested that the Memorial site remain open for 3 years – it is now scheduled to close after less than a year of operation.  It is reported that discharge times for an ALC patient at the Regional site are in excess of 180 days, while the provincial average is just over 40 days. 

As chair of Friendly to Seniors, an advocacy group and member of the City of Sudbury Seniors Advisory Panel, which has made a motion to keep the Memorial Site open, it was decided to examine in detail the matter to try to make some sense of what many of the professionals involved say is a very complex issue.  As someone who had a relative (mother in law) as a resident of both a non-profit and for-profit nursing home for some time, I am not unfamiliar with these facilities or of the overall situation.  John Gaul, a member of our board – Treasurer) took part in this study.   Our thanks to Dan Lessard, for arrangements and the staff at both hospital locations for taking the time to show ups around an explain the programs in place and services provided. 

First a visit to the Memorial Transitional Care Unit where I was most impressed with the renovations to the building to accommodate the ALC patients in an interim setting with excellent care by a skilled and devoted staff.  The goal of the Transitional Care Unit is to maintain the physical and mental health of patients until such time as appropriate nursing home accommodations become available.  It is our opinion that this Unit must continue to fulfill this function.  We dropped by the local LHIN (Health Integration Network) office located at the Memorial site on the first floor and were surprised to learn that officials here apparently had never visited the Unit, for which they had originally authorized funding, located on the floors just above them.  They have stated that the purpose of this unit was only to address the needs of the current 130 residents with no plans for the ALC patients now and in the future at the Sudbury Regional Site, not to mention the estimated 700 to 900 persons identified by the Community Care Access Centre as waiting for nursing home care. 

Then a visit to the Sudbury Regional Hospital Site where it was discovered that the ALC patients in this facility were not located in just one area but were indeed, as stated previously, in beds throughout the hospital, at times even in lounges and other inappropriate areas.  While staff cares for their basic needs they are unable to provide nursing home services to the extent as ALC patients receive at the Memorial Transitional Site.  This was confirmed by both staff and patients.  It is obvious that these ALC individuals at the Regional Site should become residents at the Memorial site until such time as appropriate nursing home accommodation becomes available.  This would also enable the Regional site to do even better work with initiatives now under way including Geriatric Emergency Management, the Long Term Care Residence Emergency Department Outreach Service, the Geriatric and Adult Rehab Day Program and the Elder Life Program.

Why not keep the Memorial Transitional Care site open – is it a matter of cost?  According to figures supplied by the Hospital it costs between $800 and $1,100 to keep an ALC patient at the Sudbury Regional Site each day.   At the Memorial Transitional Site the cost is between $300 and $350 a day.  It would appear that besides saving a minimum of $450 a day per patient by caring for these patients at the Memorial Site, rather than the Regional site, the hospital would have the use of these beds now and in the future for regular patient care.

It is said that the ALC matter is very complicated, and that many varied scenarios have to be explored and that ultimately a “community solution” needs to be found.  It is true that we need more home care and supportive housing plus other measures including more nursing home spaces, but they quite simply do not exist to the extent necessary to solve our current crisis.  Until such time as they do, we have a facility, the Memorial Transitional Care Unit that can address this interim need for as long as it takes for the other measures to become reality.  We are doing a disservice to those ALC patients at the Sudbury Regional Site, now and in the future, who will occupy beds that could otherwise serve our community for the purpose for which they were intended, while at the same time denying them the services they could enjoy and deserve at the Memorial Transitional Care Unit. 

Unless we are missing important pieces of the puzzle or there are agendas of which we are not aware it would certainly appear in terms of cost and quality of care plus overall operational efficiency to keep the Memorial Transitional Site open to accommodate Regional hospital ALC patients.  It would be most unfortunate if these sick and mostly older individuals, who are largely without voice or influence, are pawns in an uncaring bureaucratic health care system that gives low priority to their needs.  If this indeed is the case, with an ever increasing and aware senior population, it will not be tolerated for much longer – already senior’s organizations and other interested groups and citizens are mobilizing to address this issue in an attempt to reverse the decision to close the Memorial site.  For more information go to www.friendlytoseniors.ca   

John Lindsay,

Chair, Friendly to Seniors – Sudbury

Member, Mayor and Council’s Seniors’ Advisory Panel  

What can you do?   As this appears to be a political issue contact your local councillor, local MPP (provincial) and even your MP (Federal).  Money from all levels of government has and is continuing to be “invested” in our health care system and our local hospital.   Putting “pressure” on all of these individuals is the only way to be able to effect change – change that is obviously very much needed to rectify this situation for the benefit of all.  Do it now, by e-mail and/or letter.   

For the information of Council, the Mayor and Council’s Seniors’ Advisory Panel passed the following motion at a meeting on November 5^th, 2010 for consideration by the future Council.

Motion

WHEREAS it is reported that the Memorial site will be closed in March of 2011 following the opening of various alternate accommodation for ALC patients currently occupying this facility;

AND WHEREAS there are and still will be ALC patients at the Sudbury Regional Hospital site requiring accommodation, and that the operation of the Sudbury Regional Hospital is adversely affected by the presence of ALC patients at this facility;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Council of the City of Greater Sudbury enforce recommendations with provincial health care authorities involved that the Memorial site remain open and accept all ALC patients currently at the Sudbury Regional Hospital site until such time as permanent and sustainable alternative accommodations are made available or all community based programming is designed and in place for addressing future ALC issues.

 John

 To those interested in our future:

Constructive, Practical and Productive Use of Water Towers - Making Sudbury "Greater".

Are we missing an opportunity by not using one or perhaps both of our old water towers for two projects currently being championed in our city? I am referring to the proposed School of Architecture and a new home for the Sudbury Art Gallery.

Using a bit of imagination (and referring to the attached article in which a similar water tower in Western Canada was completely refurbished for not much more than the city projected cost of repainting) it is not difficult to see how our old water towers could be put to use for one or possibly both of these uses and for far less cost than building completely new facilities.

If used for an Art Gallery the top portion could serve as the gallery (attracting visitors up if even if just to observe the view, while increasing attendance) while at the base there would be room for other creative art work spaces - the sides could display art work or for commercial purposes to help support the gallery.

For the school of architecture - just leave it to the imagination of the occupants to create a novel learning environment. These could be "heritage" projects that would enrich our city for generations.

John Lindsay

> In Ottawa on the west side of the parliament buildings, there is a
> fitting tribute to the ladies of "suffrage" in Canada ... Life size
> statues ... Impressive both for their work to human kind as well as the
> monument to their life's work ! The Famous Five!

> Our 80th Anniversary as Persons!
>
> This is important to remember, how recent it is that we were considered "
> persons" and how hard it was the win the " Vote".
> Many thanks to the woman who sent this along to me. Apparently November
> is an important month of "Remembrance" for more than World War Veterans.
> And yes, I do think this an important anniversary to those of us of the
> female persuasion.
> >
> An important part of our history!
>
>
> This is the story of women who were ground-breakers. These brave women
> from the early 1900s made all the difference in the lives we live today.
>
> Remember, it was not until 1920 that women were granted the right to go to
> the polls and vote.
>
> The women were innocent and defenseless, but when, in North America, women
> picketed in front of
> the White House, carrying signs asking for the vote, they were jailed.
>
>
> And by the end of the first night in jail, those women were barely alive.
> Forty prison guards wielding clubs and their warden's blessing
> went on a rampage against the 33 women wrongly convicted of
> 'obstructing sidewalk traffic.'
>
>
> (Lucy Burns)
> They beat Lucy Burns, chained her hands to the cell bars above
> her head and left her hanging for the night, bleeding and gasping
> for air.
>
> (Dora Lewis)
> They hurled Dora Lewis into a dark cell, smashed her
> head against an iron bed and knocked her out cold. Her cellmate,
> Alice Cosu, thought Lewis was dead and suffered a heart attack.
> Additional affidavits describe the guards grabbing, dragging,
> beating, choking, slamming, pinching, twisting and kicking the women.
>
> Thus unfolded the 'Night of Terror' on Nov. 15, 1917,
> when the warden at the Occoquan Workhouse in Virginia ordered his
> guards to teach a lesson to the suffragists imprisoned there because
> they dared to picket Woodrow Wilson's White House for the right
> to vote.
>
> For weeks, the women's only water came from an open pail. Their
> food--all of it colorless slop--was infested with worms.
>
> (Alice Paul)
> When one of the leaders, Alice Paul, embarked on a hunger strike, they
> tied her to a
> chair, forced a tube down her throat and poured liquid into her until she
> vomited.
> She was tortured like this for weeks until word was smuggled out to the
> press.
>
> All women who have ever voted, have ever owned property, have ever enjoyed
> equal rights need to remember that women’s rights had to be fought for in
> Canada as well. Do our daughters and our sisters know the price that was
> paid to earn rights for women here, in North America?
>
> 2009 is the 80th Anniversary of the Persons Case in Canada,
> which finally declared women in Canada to be Persons!
>
> Please, if you are so inclined, pass this on to all the women you know, so
> that we remember to celebrate the rights we enjoy.
>
> “Knowledge is Freedom: hide it, and it withers; share it, and it blooms”
> (P. Hill)
>


   

The opinions expressed on this page are those of the contributors, not necessarily those of the Walden Community Action Network. Anonymous Letters will not be accepted.

Send correspondence to Info@Walden-Can.com

.Walden-CAN apologizes for omitting one of our Corporate Sponsors for TOGETHER,WALDEN CAN
Community Conference April 24,25 : Thanks to Vale Inco for their generous support
 

Walden-Can says thanks
Posted By macmac
4 days ago
On April 24,25,09 the Walden-Can presented the TOGETHER, WALDEN CAN Community Conference at the Lively District Secondary School. A team of 15 Walden-CAN members planned and staged a wonderful conference for local volunteer organizations to display their pertinent information regarding their prospective organizations At the same time delegates from these 47 organizations participated in information sessions provided by spokespersons with expertise on varying topics concerning local Walden issues.

The conference was attended by 164 delegates, including exhibiters, and the Walden-CAN Conference Committee.

Thanks to the 19 Facilitators/Speakers who volunteered their expertise, experience and time for our: Plenary Session on Friday Night and the Open Forum and 10 Workshops on Saturday. Note: E-Versions of many of the presentations will be posted on www.Walden-CAN.com 

Thanks to corporate sponsors: Wild at Heart Wildlife Refuge Centre, Bell Aliant, Battistelli’s Independent (YIG), and The City of Greater Sudbury (Councilor Jacques Barbeau). Thanks to local merchants: Walden Home Hardware, Manitoulin Transport, R.E.A.L. Wine in Time, Barbeau-Gainer Builders, Jim’s Portable Toilets, Pinehill Lumber, Lively Pharmacy, Walden Family Drug Store, and the Community Savings & Credit Union.

Thanks to the City of Greater Sudbury, Leisure Services and the Greater Sudbury Police Services Board- Chief’s Youth Initiatives Fund. Through their financial support the conference was provided free to all participants.

Last but not least, special thanks for all shared partners, Walden Youth for Youth, all Speakers, Lively District High School, LDSS Intermediate Jazz Band, and the Walden-CAN Conference Committee.

The volunteering of the time and the efforts displayed, by all eager, friendly faces made the astounding success of the conference memorable.

Brenda Salo, Co-Chair, Walden-CAN Community Conference 2009
866-2919 www.Walden-CAN.com 


 

The Fight to Keep R.H. Murray PS Open

As a vital resource for our communities- now & in the future!

As Co-Chairs and long-time residents of Walden, Richard Bois and I (and our spouses) spent 2 hours on Friday night, in the Beaver Lake Sports and Cultural Club, attending the R.H. Murray Community/Parents Meeting. Cathy Stadder-Wise, Chair, R.H. Murray School Council & member of the ARC-Sudbury West had invited us to attend.

We went to listen and to learn ‘first-hand’ what the west-end communities & parents think about the Rainbow Board’s Administrative Council’s recommendation on December 17,2007 to close R.H. Murray PS.

What we witnessed was a hall filled with parents (several children), grandparents, residents- young and old- from Beaver Lake, Nairn, Penage, Whitefish, Worthington & other communities in Walden plus MPP Gelinas, School Trustee Santala, School Trustee Fox, several ARC-Sudbury West members, and the media.

What we heard loud and clear, is that the communities and parents will fight to keep R.H. Murray PS (the only elementary school in over 400 square kilometers west of Lively to Espanola) open- as a vital resource for their communities- now & in the future! They support the ARC-Sudbury West Options- all of which recommended keeping R.H. Murray PS open! They will do everything they can to keep R.H. Murray open for their children and their children’s children.

We learned that:

a. Members of ARC-Sudbury West were surprised on Dec. 18, to hear the announcement of Jean Hanson’s Administrative Council recommendation to close R.H. Murray. This recommendation utterly disregards the three Options developed by ARC members. We were told that in all three, five sets of schools- with five sets of parents, teachers and principals, had reached consensus that R.H. Murray is an important resource to the community and therefore should be kept open.

b. Mr Price, a former Project Manager at INCO – with 35 years of experience evaluating and implementing projects on budget and on time- is in the process of evaluating the ‘numbers’ in the five School Valuations- as posted on the website. He is appalled! The bottom line of his 45-minute power point presentation is that the figures don’t add up! Significant reference information and costs are missing. And he is not yet finished with his evaluation!

c. Throughout what should have been a celebration of Christmas holidays, the Parent Council and the communities have been busy coordinating their campaign to fight the closure of R.H. Murray PS. They have been: sending letters to parents; booking the Beaver Lake Hall; sending letters to the Editor, websites, and to residents; doing interviews for radio, TV and newspapers; phoning and emailing Trustees and politicians and holding planning meetings. With the final decision by the Rainbow Board to be made on Feb.18th they are encouraging everyone to get involved and to continue lobbying by contacting the Trustees to
express their desire to keep their children educated at R.H. Murray. They will be
exploring all possibilities!

Walden-West communities should not have to fight to keep R.H. Murray open.

The final ARC-Sudbury West Report - developed during the nine months’ ARC process- although not pleasing to all community members, was a creative & viable alternative to the status quo. Each of the three Options recommended R.H. Murray remain open.


Walden-Can continues to strongly support ARC Option A!

”… Represents the committee’s response to input provided by the community at public meetings…A majority of the committee supports this option as the preferred choice…consideration for the future through a new green school l[which] addresses the facility concerns at the two schools with the most pressing issues- George Vanier (with its actual physical condition) and Jessie Hamilton (over enrolment without space to grow)…also responds to the enrolment pressures at the secondary school by providing potential for growth by developing a Grade 7-12 focus through moving Grade 7 and 8 students…recommending that FI be provided Grade 7 –12…having Copper Cliff students feed into the secondary school in Lively…also responsive to community’s desire to have a school located in each community (Whitefish, Lively and Copper Cliff)”
From Nov.12, 2007 ARC-Sudbury West Report


The Director, however, has chosen to ignore vital aspects of this thoughtfully produced report and has indicated that her wishes are otherwise.


If the Rainbow Board supports her recommendations as opposed to Option A in the ARC Report- the preferred choice of the committee and the community- I feel they will have made a mockery of all the agonizing done by the ARC-Sudbury West members and all of the parents, individuals & community groups (including Walden-CAN) that conscientiously worked within the Ministry guidelines – in each step of the process.

If a plan was already conceived, there was no reason for our schools & communities to be part of the ARC process. The Sudbury West accommodation review would not be a democratic process – but an exercise in showmanship! Telling us that the Ministry insists that this ARC process be followed is not a good enough answer!

On February 19th we’ll learn who makes the decisions impacting the future of our rural schools in the outlying communities of CGS- the School Trustees, the Administrative Council or the Ministry.

Value to our students and value to our communities should outweigh value to the school board.

Note: The final opportunity for public input is at the January 21st Board Meeting in Council Chambers at Tom Davies Square. Deadline for Briefs is Jan.11

For more information check www.Walden-CAN.com  See our Beaver Lake page, ARC-Sudbury West page, Letters page or www.URSudbury.com  or www.rainbowschools.ca 

Gwen Doyle, Co-Chair, Walden-CAN

March 3/07

 Letter to the Editor:

One Interchange- 2 Locations Proposed

 for Southwest By-Pass Four-laning Project

      One Interchange – 2 Locations Proposed for the Southwest By-Pass Four-laning Project: The two Interchange alternatives proposed are: Fielding/Kantola Rd and Southview Drive. Regardless of where the Interchange is built, there will be collector roads, running parallel to the By-Pass – on north & south sides. However, after construction there will be no access on to the Southwest By-Pass – except at the one Interchange.

      The Fielding/Kantola Rd. Alternative, in our opinion, is the preferred option.

 Access to the Southwest By-Pass is vital for:

1. Emergency Services (fire, police, ambulance) to:
   1. Large residential population south of By-Pass
   2. Industrial sector along Fielding Rd.
2. Daily Travel east or west along By-Pass by:
   1. Large residential population south of By-Pass
   2. Industrial sector along Fielding Rd.
   3. CGS road maintenance/snowplowing, garbage/blue box collectors etc
   4. Utility services suppliers
3. Tourist & year-round public access to Fielding Memorial Park:
   1. The Bird Sanctuary
   2. The Trans-Canada Walking Trails
   3. Special Events held at Fielding Memorial Park

       If the residents of Walden don’t speak up, in support of the Fielding/Kantola Rd. Interchange - at the Thursday, March 8/07, Public Information Centre 2, from 4 –8pm at the Countryside Arena – they could lose access to the Southwest By-Pass at that location.

     If you are unable to attend the March 8 Public Information Centre 2 and/or want further information, check www.sudburyswbypass.ca to contact the Project Team.

       One of the questions we should ask is: What is the cost – MOT capital dollars, MOT/CGS long-term maintenance and life-style – of constructing 2 Interchanges VS constructing two 2-lane collector roads on the north and south sides of the Four-lane By-Pass and one Interchange?

            Concerned citizens of Walden,

Lucy Lambert and Les Burford, 692- 5530

Re Policing or lack there of

Walden Senior Citizens and Pensioners’ Inc.
P.O. Box 488
15 Kin Drive,
Lively, ON
P3Y 1M5

Dear Walden-CAN Executive,

It has been brought to my attention by the Seniors of Walden area that they have many concerns about policing.
(1) Vandalism (private property, Senior’s Centre, Anderson farm)
(2) Break and enter
(3) Theft of property (hanging plants this summer)
(4) Concerns for safety
(5) Speed of police response

A year ago at this time I came before the Walden-CAN with these concerns. You responded by having Constable Zuliani and Chief Davidson before the committee. They stated that Walden had a low crime rate so the policing was sufficient. I would like to keep the crime rate low by having more police presence. We all know parking police cars in front of the store front does not deter criminals.

I am sure there are more than Seniors interested in this matter.
(1) Business owners
(2) All property owners
(3) Parents with small children and teenagers
(4) Walden-CAN as representatives of the public

This summer numerous fires were started at the Anderson Farm Museum. This site is a meaningful treasure for the citizens of Walden and the City of greater Sudbury. If we were to lose any building on this site it would be a loss of public pride, tourism and business for our community.

I respectively request that Walden-CAN set up a task force to investigate policing in the Walden area, before our safety deteriorates further.

Sincerely,
Mary Frances Barr, President, Walden Seniors and Pensioners Inc.


 

Intersection HWY 144 and Regional road 24

At the Jan. 8th board meeting of the Walden Seniors and Pensioners', concern was expressed about the lack of lighting at the junction of HWY. 144 and Regional Rd.24.
As you approach from Chelmsford to make a left turn to 24 or make a right or left onto 144 from 24 the lack of light, we believe is hazzard.
This matter was presented to Terry Kett some time ago, with little result. (This may not have been his fault)
A flashing red light has been installed on Regional Rd. 24 but this does not solve the problem. I believe we all know to stop. We just want to be able to see better. A Street light on the corner would let travellers on 144 see the intersection as well as those on 24.
If there are others who feel the same way, please notify us so we can make a unified attempt to correct the situation.
Let's do this before we have a serious accident.
Sincerely,
Mary Barr
President of Walden Seniors and Pensioners'
Phone to the Centre 692-5591
Home phone 692-7109
 

                                                  Penage/Panache

I have noticed on the main web page the different communities, well Penage is a Hotel in Whitefish and the lake is spelled  "Panache`" as Lake Panache` which is named by the Whitefish Lake Native Indian Elders. I was once told by Mr. Felix Sky an elder that has passed away but years ago he told me that Panache` means 'beautiful waters' or ' rough waters'. So for the word 'Penage' in the community of Whitefish is a Hotel not the lake community.
As I am fully aware of the proper spelling I wish for it too be changed to the proper spelling of Panache`. It is also a proper name of a 'parfum' in France.
 
gord lundgren
Lac Panache`
 

Policing in Walden?

       As I arrived for work on Saturday morning, Nov.11^th, I was informed that there had been a break & enter in the business block. This building contains our pharmacy as well as a convenience store, hair salon, tanning spa and several apartment units. The break-in had occurred the night before.

      After checking the rest of the building, I made a call to the Police in Sudbury, after trying in vain to reach an officer at our local office. This call was made prior to 11:00am Saturday morning, and I was told that an officer would be dispatched when one became available, although I did explain that we were not sure if the person had in fact left the building.

       An officer arrived to investigate after 6:00pm Monday night! During those two days, I was informed that a vehicle parked next door had also been vandalized the same night as our break-in.

      In my opinion, this response time does not seem adequate, especially considering the accessibility and vulnerability of both business and residential tenants to this crime! Unfortunately, this type of response from our “local” police force is not uncommon now. Our local officers are now spending most, if not all of their shifts covering other areas of the city, often due to staffing shortages in other areas of the city. Frequent calls are being made from businesses in the area, as well as citizens at our Library/Seniors Centre, with absolutely no response from our police officers.

      The citizens of Walden are currently paying for a service that is not being provided, despite the fact that a huge (and growing) portion of our local taxes is being spent on policing.

      The concerns, complaints and safety of the residents of Walden are not being addressed adequately by our police service and its time that this change. Perhaps a local panel or action group could be established, to work with our police force to address our current level of policing. The Citizens of Walden deserve the proactive, visible and available police service that we’d had for decades.

         Sincerely,

             John Palys

             Owner- Lively Pharmacy (692- 3214)