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Long-term care in crisis
Posted: January 25, 2021
(January 24, 2021)
By: Jodi Lundmark, Chronicle Journal
Debbie Shubat’s mother Amy is 92 years old and has dementia, and she’s a resident of Southbridge Roseview long-term care home. “I can’t stop thinking about her,” said Shubat during a virtual press conference held by the Ontario Health Coalition on Friday. “I dream about her and it has been my living nightmare for all these months.” A COVID-19 outbreak was declared at Southbridge Roseview on Nov. 17 and since then 23 residents, who contracted the virus, have died. Shubat, who lives in St. Joseph’s Island near Sault Ste. Marie, said she was initially informed by Roseview staff the outbreak would be contained to one unit.
“However, on Nov. 26 my mother tested positive for COVID,” said Shubat, adding during the first wave of the pandemic, no family members were allowed to visit her mother from March to August of last year. Once family and essential care partners were allowed to visit, her mother began to rally, but Shubat said since the outbreak was declared, she hasn’t been able to find anyone willing to enter the home. And although Shubat has been able to virtually visit her mother, she said her mother has been non-verbal since Christmas Day when the last thing her mother said was “there is nothing here for me.” Shubat said she and other Roseview resident family members have been sharing their experiences with each other and she is aware of the circumstances in the long-term care home that were causing the virus to spread throughout the home.
See the full story in the print and digital editions of The Chronicle-Journal.
