Quality of care

HJ McFarland Home Family Council concerned over recent changes

HJ McFarland Home Family Council member Joy Vervoort addressed Committee of the Whole on Thursday after changes at the home have left five management positions with interim managers. “We are here on behalf of the residents of HJ McFarland who can’t speak on their own behalf,” she said. “Our Family Council is troubled by the events of the past several months and is concerned about the perceived negative impact it is having on the levels of service and care provided to residents.” Vervoort told the committee that for over nine years, the Family Council has had a goal of improving the quality of life for HJ McFarland Home’s long-term residents and to give their families and friends a forum for sharing experiences.

The HJ McFarland Family Council is comprised of a group of residents’ family members (or person of importance to a resident) whose role, as outlined in Ontario’s Long Term Care Act, is to enhance the quality of care for residents of the home. Under the legislation, family councils are recognized for the important contributions they make to Long Term Care Homes and the Long-Term sector.

The family council provides a forum for sharing information among family members and residents as well as provide educational opportunities on topics relative to aging, care of the elderly and legislative changes impacting care. It also provides constructive feedback to the management team regarding the quality of care and services offered to the residents.

Vervoort claims that communication needs to be improved, as it impacts the Family Council’s ability to fullfill its role. Recently, Family Council was not advised about the staff changes at the home. In July, Administrator Kim Mauro resigned and the County ended its employment relationship with Resident Quality Supervisor Rachel Gillman. “Recent changes have had an impact on the level of service to the people who live in the home. Four of five management positions are staffed currently with interim managers. The incumbent of the fifth position is away on extended sick leave and the duties of that position are being handled by one of the interim managers,” said Vervoort. She also told council that the Family Council meets monthly, and it has been a challenge to have upper management attend meetings.

Vervoort said that lack of leadership is affecting resident care. “We want to make permanent staffing for the management positions and other vacant positions a priority,” said Vervoort. “Frontline staff providing daily care to support residents require strong and stable management team to provide leadership and support to carry out duties,” she said. Vervoort requested that staffing levels be increased, and that vacancies be filled quickly. “The HJ McFarland Home is not like the roads, planning or economic development departments. It is a 24/7 operation, where the lives of 85 residents depend on staff to be there, when they need them,” she said. Vervoort also acknowledged that the County has had trouble attracting qualified staff, due to lack of affordable housing and competition with larger urban centres, but she believes the staffing process needs to be proactive, creative and streamlined.

Concern was also raised regarding Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) funding the home recives.Under the accreditation, McFarland Home was assessed under the Person-Centered Long-Term Care Community category. CARF praised the home for its strengths in several areas, including the clean and safe home-like environment and the enhanced health and safety processes. McFarland Home received the highest level of accreditation granted by CARF. A conformance quality report is required to be provided annually to maintain certification. The home would be at risk of losing their accreditation should they fail to maintain the standards on which their accreditation is based.

This happened under previous management. At that time, a reduction in the CMI index resulted in a funding loss of $192,800 annually to the County. If this were to happen again, the County would have to fund any shortfall in operating costs through a tax levy.

Councillor Janice Maynard asked staff how council could ensure that these concerns get dealt with. Acting CAO Robert McAuley said that he is hopeful staff and Family Council can work together to move forward. “This is a bit of a shotgun presentation of things,” said McAuley. “The home is in a state of transition at this point, so I would expect that at some time there would be some evolution to solution on all of these points. It seems like there is a relationship issue here that needs to be nurtured a little bit.”

Vervoort ended the deputation with a strong but clear message. “We want open, transparent and timely communications,” she said. “Aging is a terminal disease that none of us can escape. Let us work together to ensure that every resident at the home can fullfill their potential with dignity and equality in a healthy environment. We are asking council to help us achieve this goal.”

The concerns of Family Council will be referred to staff for inclusion in the HJ McFarland quarterly reports to council.