/R E P E A T -- Retirement homes: Gilberte Lemieux-Vachon's death should not have been in vain/

MONTREAL, Aug. 15, 2012 /CNW Telbec/ - With an election campaign underway in Quebec, the Association québécoise des retraité(e)s des secteurs public et parapublic (AQRP) has partnered with Gilberte Lemieux-Vachon's family to demand better care for elderly residents of long-term care centres (CHSLDs). Ms. Lemieux-Vachon's passed away, as the result of a bedsore, on April 1, 2011 at the Centre d'hébergement de Saint-Eustache.

"I was deeply moved by Ms. Lemieux-Vachon's story. The circumstances under which she passed away are appalling. Nothing like this should ever happen again," decried AQRP president Lyne Parent.

"We are calling on Quebecers everywhere today, hoping that our mother's death - and she could have been anyone's mother - will convince you to speak out against elderly abuse," declared Gilbert Vachon, the deceased's son.

The Quebec Ombudsman's report, released today, describes major gaps in the coordination of care provided to Ms. Lemieux-Vachon, as well as in certain employees' skills. Some members of her caregiver team were aware of her condition, but her doctor had not been informed in time. Ms. Lemieux-Vachon also had no access to the psychosocial and nutrition services she needed.

The AQRP points out that more than 4,300 people are on a CHSLD waiting list. Occupancy rates in these facilities, throughout Quebec, are close to 100%. As of March 2012, complete follow-through on recommendations resulting from appraisal visits made in 2010-2011 stands at less than 60%.

The AQRP therefore calls on political parties to make the following commitments:

1. Create 5,000 new CHSLD spaces during the next term of office.
2. Increase the number of inspectors to 12, to ensure that surprise appraisal visits are carried out in all CHSLDs at least once every two years.
3. In less than 18 months, follow through - in their entirety and throughout Quebec - on 100% of recommendations resulting from any CHSLD appraisal visit, including previous recommendations.
4. Require members of professional bodies, managers and employees who work in CHSLDs to denounce any situations of elderly abuse, mistreatment or negligence.
5. Set up deterrent administrative sanctions for those responsible or anyone who does not speak out when these situations occur.

The AQRP offers support to the elderly and their families needing to find a space in a CHSLD or requiring advocacy, at 1 866 497-1548.

The AQRP, with a membership almost 28,000-strong, is the primary independent association representing Quebec government retirees. It also sets itself apart through its ongoing citizen involvement on issues that affect the elderly throughout Quebec. During the election campaign now underway in Quebec, the AQRP invites all political parties to express commitments on behalf of Quebec's elderly and retirees.

Please click here:
Caption: Gilberte Lemieux-Vachon's bedsore
http://files.newswire.ca/766/plaie_de_maman.pdf

Image with caption: "Mrs Gilberte Lemieux-Vachon (CNW Group/AQRP - ASSOCIATION QUEBECOISE DES RETRAITE(E)S DES SECTEURS PUBLIC ET PARAPUBLIC)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20120821_C8310_PHOTO_EN_17108.jpg

PDF available at: http://stream1.newswire.ca/media/2012/08/21/20120821_C8310_DOC_EN_17109.pdf

SOURCE: AQRP - ASSOCIATION QUEBECOISE DES RETRAITE(E)S DES SECTEURS PUBLIC ET PARAPUBLIC

For further information:

Source: AQRP

Information
Mathieu Santerre, Communications director
418 928-2608
[e-mail]