Nursing home limits residents to 2 rolls of toilet paper a week
Daughter-in-law of woman living in New Brunswick seniors’ home ‘appalled’
MONCTON, N.B. — Residents of a New Brunswick seniors’ home have been informed they will each be limited to two rolls of toilet paper a week.
The Manoir Notre-Dame in Moncton said in a written notice the move is necessary because of an increase in overall costs.
“We will limit the rolls of toilet paper to two per week which will be deposited every Monday in the rooms,” the Aug. 2 notice read.
But management said if the residents exceed the number distributed, they will be able to obtain additional toilet paper if it’s added to their prescription deliveries.
Anita LeBlanc, who went public with the notice on social media, said it was a humiliating situation for residents.
“My mother-in-law called me to ask us to go and buy toilet paper for her,” she told The Canadian Press. “She asked staff (in the nursing home) and they refused her.”
LeBlanc added that close relatives of the seniors were not informed of the toilet paper ration.
“We don’t know why,” she said. “There are many ways to get in touch with us, but they didn’t.”
LeBlanc noted that her mother-in-law spends $2,500 per month to stay in the residence.
“I rarely rant on Facebook and I know I will regret this tomorrow, but I am so mad and disgusted that I cannot help myself,” she said on a Facebook posting Saturday.
“There are so many seniors in that home who do not have family or friends to take care of them. I’m appalled, and we will be looking for a new place for her to live.
“I forgot to add that they have a notice that the nursing home is experiencing a gastroenteritis. Imagine the humiliation and the suffering. Sitting on a toilet and not having toilet paper . . . . guess they expect them to stay sitting there until Monday!”
Officials with the Manoir Notre Dame did not want to be interviewed.
The note also added that paper tissues will no longer be distributed.