Is the B.C. government catering to the corporations caring for our seniors?
The Senior Advocate’s report states that a large percentage of senior facilities in B.C. are understaffed. Further investigations show that many of these are privately owned “for profit.” Why?
The facts are: for-profit facilities put their excess revenue into the pockets of the owners and stockholders. That their costs, on average, are lower for the purpose of generating profits. That the government did not mandate that public funding be directed toward staffing levels rather than profit. That the government refuses to legislate enforced staff levels. That the government refuses to fine or penalize for non-compliance. That the health authority system of progressive compliance allows for the neglect of our seniors for years, with no more consequences than verbal and written warnings.
When the government privatized senior care, their failure to implement safeguards against neglect in the favor of profit, is a direct contravention of the “Residents Bill of Rights,” to be protected from abuse and neglect.
All of these facts indicate that the lack of regulations and enforcement that govern these facilities was specifically designed to keep corporations in the highly profitable business of neglecting our seniors.
Yes, the government does cater to these corporations and the reason they provide the worst quality of care is because the Government allows them to do so.
Judy Galley
