Abuse of elders in care declines

None of the 123 confirmed cases sent to police

CALGARY — The province’s protection for persons in care branch confirmed 123 cases of abuse in nursing homes, mental-health facilities and other care homes last year — a 26 per cent drop from the year before — but none of the cases were sent to police for further review.

Wildrose MLA Kerry Towle said she was heartened to see fewer seniors and other vulnerable residents suffering abuse in provincially run homes. But she said it’s troubling that none of the 123 confirmed cases — including two cases of sexual abuse — were referred to police or Alberta Justice.

“It would seem to me there would be cause that some of them could have been referred for further investigation, but aren’t. But we don’t know why,” she said.

“How do we know that people in care are safe?”

According to the protection for persons in care report posted online Thursday, there were 210 reports of abuse in 2013-14, over emotional, physical, financial, sexual, medication and basic necessities concerns.

The previous year, there were 166 confirmed cases of abuse under the Protection for Persons in Care Act.

On Thursday, Health Minister Fred Horne said it’s up to each facility to implement the recommendations of investigations. However, in March, he ordered a systemwide review of facilities that fall under protections of persons in care, going back three years to see if providers have followed through on cases.

The move came following several high-profile cases, including three workers charged with assaulting an elderly palliative care patient in Calgary.

Horne said he was encouraged to see a decrease in the number of confirmed abuse cases this year, but said people within the system need to remain vigilant. He said the province spent time last year making sure families, residents and staff knew where and how to report any concerns. Alberta’s associate minister for seniors, Dave Quest, will continue that work this summer.