Family upset with care
Shortly after Jerome Olson moved into Cheshire Homes, his mother started worrying about his care.
Brenda Olson’s concerns about her son’s safety intensified and increased in number since August 2011 when Jerome moved to 4402 Sherwood Dr. — one of three group homes operated by Cheshire Homes of Regina Society and funded by the Ministry of Social Services.
“Social Services need to look at the whole structure of this home and not for just my son, but for all of the residents,” Brenda said.
Jerome, 30, has cerebral palsy and requires two people to transfer him in and out of his wheelchair and bed and onto a commode.
On Jan. 13, 2012, Jerome fell between his bed and a wall while staff were getting him ready for the morning.
“One staff went to roll him over to wash his back,” Brenda said. “The other staff did not have a hold of him ... He asked for 9-1-1, but the director said he didn’t need 9-1-1.”
Jerome was sent to work at the Saskatchewan Abilities Council. Soon, he complained about a headache and his supervisor phoned Brenda.
She believes Jerome required immediate medical attention to determine if there was damage to the shunt in his head or his hip, which has had bone removed.
The family demanded Cheshire staff fill out an incident report they could take to the hospital. At the hospital, a doctor ordered Xrays and a CT scan. Jerome had no injuries.
The family was also upset when Jerome was left on a commode.
Recently, Brenda was on her way out of Cheshire at 5 p.m. and Jerome was being put on the commode. He was still there when she returned at 7 p.m. and heard him calling: “Help. Help. I’m in pain. I’m in pain.”
Brenda contends the home is short-staffed. At times, only one employee cares for eight residents with complex needs.
Routinely, Jerome does not get personal care from 6:30-9:30 a.m. because staff are getting residents ready to leave for the day.
“If Jerome has to go to the bathroom from the time they start and until the residents go ... he wets his bed,” Brenda said.
Consequently, Jerome has a groin rash. Hospital staff told the family to flag the incident with the board of directors, but the board refuses to meet with the Olsons.
In June 2012, Jerome got a notice to leave the home from the chair of Cheshire. The letter stated: “Despite our best efforts we have been unable to reach an agreement on how to best support Jerome.”
“I was surprised to receive the letter because they had not spoke to the family or to Jerome,” Brenda said.
A second letter dated Aug. 1, 2012, was sent to Jerome and his family stating the Community Living Service Delivery (CLSD) worker indicated the family had declined to participate in transition planning for Jerome’s future placement. Jerome was told he had to leave Cheshire Homes by Aug. 15, 2012.
Brenda maintains no one spoke to her about transition planning and Social Services told her to ignore the second letter. However, recently Social Services told her Jerome must move by Oct. 31, 2013.
“We’ve put him in this home with the understanding that it is government-funded and his needs would be met and they’d follow policies and procedures,” Brenda said. “Now do we move to another home that’s under Community Living and if we run into the same issues that we have here, does he have to move again because he spoke up?”
Trevor Gates, regional manager of CLSD, has met at least six times with the family. Although hesitant to discuss specifics, Gates spoke to Jerome’s wait on the commode.
“The time frame that was relayed by the agency was around 45 minutes to an hour and that was too long,” Gates said. “There was a button that he had to indicate that he was done, even though he still should have been checked, and they admitted error to that.”
As for where Jerome will move, Gates said the young man and a team of his choosing will discuss options.
Brenda met with Social Services Minister June Draude on Thursday.
Following the interview, Brenda said: “We felt that we were heard, but we’re waiting for action.”
The minister said she was shocked to hear the accusations.
“I take all of these concerns very, very seriously — with Jerome and with all of our individuals right across the province,” Draude said.
She has instructed ministry officials to meet with the new board of directors at Cheshire Homes as soon as possible.
“I’ve had the chance, in the last number of months and years, to visit a number of group homes where I haven’t had this kind of feedback, so I’ve asked, ‘What are we doing in Cheshire?’ ”
The ministry will ensure the group home is following all required safety procedures and policies and that residents receive the dignity they deserve, Draude said.
Her goal, and that of her ministry, is that Jerome receives the best care possible.
“I want to believe, and I’m sure I will after the meeting with the directors, that we’re all on the same page,” Draude said. “What can we do as a ministry, as a group home and as a family to work more in sync?”
Cheshire Homes did not return calls for comment.