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LETTER: 'Government error' behind Leacock Care Centre mess

'It's elder abuse of the government to create these situations,' laments longtime health-care aide about situation at long-term care homes in Ontario
davlangstroth-6-14-23
Dav Langstroth is upset with Leacock Care Centre after he says two employees were fired for leaving him to sit in his own waste for over seven hours. Langstroth says the blame should be on the administration for a shortage of staffing.

BarrieToday welcomes letters to the editor at [email protected] or via the website. Please include your full name, daytime phone number and address (for verification of authorship, not publication). The following is in response to a story titled 'Leacock Care Centre resident claims staff fired for 'neglect', published June 14.

Good for this man to make a complaint in regards to lying in his dirty diaper. At least an investigation is done and I hope this will be a lesson to prevent other residents who depend on our hands for their care because of their handicaps.

I've worked as a health-care aide for 14 years. And yes, due to the government cutting down on staff, we were short-staffed. But our residents were changed every time they needed a change.

We did two rounds. And if the smell of incontinence came out of a room, we checked. I did night shifts and due to the government cutting staff, looked after 23 residents, but, could call for assistance anytime when in need.

Firing the two employees was not the right thing because it was a government error.

Putting these two PSWs in place? Yes. But I agree it's elder abuse of the government to create these situations.

Thank you, government!

Maria Castelijn
Mattawa