Exclusive study reveals inadequate care is widespread
At least one third of 544 homes have history of injury, abuse
MOIRA WELSH
TORONTO STAR
Elderly residents of many Ontario long-term-care homes
are living in a state of neglect.
They are left in feces-filled diapers or urine-soaked clothing.
They suffer from untreated bedsores that eat down to the bone.
They go hungry. They are injured. Some are abused.
Taken together, the data reveals widespread neglect
and inadequate care.
Over the past few days, Star readers learned the tragic story of
Natalie Babineau. The three-day series detailed how the 93-year-old
mother of 10 suffered a broken leg and ultimately died because a
gangrenous bedsore was not treated properly.
Problems uncovered during the investigation include:
Seniors in homes in Toronto and across the province were found to
be malnourished, dehydrated and living in desperate conditions.

“The neglect of the elderly is a very significant problem in Ontario,
” says Lois Dent, spokesperson for Concerned Friends, the chief
advocacy group for nursing-home residents.

March 8, 2006