Seniors left to swelter in nursing home need cooling law
31 July 2006 MPP Andrea Horwath is calling on the McGuinty government to do something to prevent seniors from sweltering in nursing homes through the rest of the summer. The Hamilton East New Democrat wants a law to enforce minimum cooling standards in nursing homes across Ontario. Currently there are no such standards.
"Overheating poses a serious risk to the elderly," said Horwath, citing the extreme California heat wave that recently claimed the lives of dozens of seniors. "This will become even more problematic given the trends toward hotter summers due to global warming."
Concerned citizens have petitioned Hamilton's Townsview Nursing Home to install air conditioning because the heat is unbearable for elderly residents, their nurses and caregivers. But the administration is stalling. Today Horwath will visit the facility and speak to concerned family members who initiated the Townsview petition.
"People are wilting from the heat. The odor is quite unpleasant. No senior should have to live like this," Horwath said.
The MPP said it should be up to the Ontario government to ensure that long-term care homes keep their residents cool. She said the new Long Term Care Act promised by the McGuinty Liberals in 2003 could easily mandate a cooling standard.
"If the McGuinty government had kept its promise of three years ago and delivered the new long term care legislation, this is the type of problem that would have been addressed long ago," Horwath said.
She has written Health and Long Term Care Minister George Smitherman urging him to address the problem of nursing homes lacking air conditioning systems and to introduce a new Act that includes air cooling standards.
For further information: Media Inquiries: Sheila White (905) 544-9644 or (416) 902-0977
Source: newswire
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