(Josh Ryan/battlefordsNOW staff)

By Angela Brown

COVID-19 concerns

Woman questions why LTC home staff can gather for party during COVID-19 restrictions

Mar 16, 2021 | 5:15 PM

A local woman is upset after visiting River Heights Lodge long-term care (LTC) home in North Battleford last week to see her mother-in-law, to discover staff gathered in the main common room for a party, while residents are required to stay in their rooms due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Diane Piper said a staff member told her it was a farewell party for one of the staff who was leaving. Piper estimated at least 20 people were in the gathering.

“It was very frustrating to see the staff socializing like that when they are not allowing the residents to socialize in any manner at all,” she said.

While most of the staff in the group appeared to be wearing masks, she said residents wear masks too but are confined to their rooms.

The lodge was reported to have had a COVID-19 outbreak in November.

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Piper said while residents go to the cafeteria for meals they must sit by themselves and are not able to socialize.

She is aware COVID-19 vaccinations have been available to residents at the lodge at this point. So she is hoping some residents may be able to socialize with other residents in small cohorts at meals, so they would not feel so isolated.

“My mother-in-law is very teary and feels she won’t see anything but this. She will be 94 years old,” said Piper. “She just feels it’s not going to improve. This is her life now. It’s really tough to hear that all the time. It’s really depressing for them.”

Piper sent an email to the River Heights Lodge management expressing her concerns.

River Heights Lodge did not provide comment when contacted by battlefordsNOW.

On the staff party issue, the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) said in a statement to battlefordsNOW they were made aware of photos of a farewell event held at River Heights Lodge for a staff member.

“Despite the best efforts of all who attended and organized the event, two staff members, who were wearing masks/face shields, did exchange a hug during an emotional moment,” the SHA said. “The staff involved have been reminded that despite all efforts to follow public health guidelines that these types of events should not occur, even to mark career milestones. We are reviewing the incident and discussing the importance of following the public health orders at all times to protect the residents and staff in our long-term care homes.”

The SHA did not indicate they would be making any changes to restrictions for residents at this time.

“We understand that the current restrictions are difficult for residents and their families,” the SHA said. “We continue to work with families/support persons to arrange for both in-person as well as virtual visits—phone/video chat—when possible. We know this can be especially difficult if there is an outbreak in a home and further visitor restrictions are put in place.”

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angela.brown@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @battlefordsNOW