Seniors’ home letter alarms local woman

A Kelowna woman fears facing eviction from a local seniors’ home after receiving a letter just days before the new year stating her care needs had increased beyond the home’s capability.

On New Year’s Eve, Katrina Bisheimer received a call from her 80-year-old mother Margaret, who has been living at Abbeyfield House, a semi-independent retirement community in Kelowna, for more than two years.

Margaret was upset about a letter she had received stating she needed to be assessed by a doctor and may need to relocate to another home, said Bisheimer.

Issues raised included Margaret having difficulty operating the washing machine and microwave, and that she had been coughing a lot at meals, she said.

“I think there was an exaggeration of some of the issues,” said Bisheimer. “My mother’s care needs haven’t changed significantly, and neither have some of the other people who got letters.”

No one from Abbeyfield spoke to Bisheimer or her mother about the issues beforehand, and they were both taken aback by the letter, she said.

“It’s really poorly managed,” said Bisheimer. “When she received a letter that said ‘you need to take this to your doctor or get relocated,’ she perceived that to be ‘I’m going to be homeless.’ There is a lack of ability to problem-solve and to jump to giving people these letters and it’s very frustrating. They didn’t even sit down and explain it to her.”

Bisheimer, who lives out of the country, has yet to see the letter, because it was apparently sent by mail.

“They could have sent me an email copy of the letter, but they chose to mail it, and it takes close to a week-and-a-half to get to me,” she said.

Bisheimer said she hopes the doctor’s assessment is consistent with her observations of her mother and that she will be able to stay at Abbeyfield, at least temporarily.

“She does feel she’s not wanted there,” she said.

Bisheimer said she is searching for new housing for her mother, but she has faced difficulty finding affordable housing in Kelowna and her mom does not qualify for assisted living.

“There is a huge gap in services,” said Bisheimer.

Abbeyfield did not return a request for comment Tuesday.