A new report released on the state of long-term care services in Nova Scotia reveals that the province is struggling to meet demands.
After several years of research and nurse contribution, the report yielded troubling details such as, “deplorable” work conditions that half of the employees claimed threatened their safety.
[Read the report here.]
Details from the Nova Scotia Business Journal:
Sherri Gallivan, a nurse with more than 20 years of experience on the front lines in long-term care, said the report is a “wake-up call,” given the expected increase in the number of seniors requiring such facilities in the next 20 years.
“Seniors are a growing population in our province, growing exponentially,” said Gallivan. “And we’re still not giving them the value they deserve.”
The report offers 15 recommendations to improve conditions in long-term care around the province. Here are the top three:
– Implement evidence-based staffing to guarantee the health of residents and staff;
– Government should fund nurse practitioners in long-term care;
– The health department should test for compliance with minimal RN staffing requirements outlined in the Homes for Special Care Act and establish penalties for non-compliance.
In her remarks, Hazelton said the report has been released to the Nova Scotia government, but the NSNU has not had a formal response.
A few highlights from the report:
Report highlights by the numbers:
– Almost 19 per cent of Nova Scotians are over 65 years old, and that number will grow to more than 30 per cent in the next 20 years.
– People on the wait list for long-term care facilities can expect to wait an average of 333 days. Those who are currently hospitalized can expect to wait an average of 198 days.
– One in four nurses experiences physical violence from residents or their families two or more times a month.
– 27 per cent of nurses experience bullying and aggression at least twice a month.
– 64 per cent of long-term care nurses in the province say they have seriously considered quitting in the last year.
In Nova Scotia, there are currently 7,000 residents in long-term care and 1,600 currently on the wait list. Hopefully, updated legislation will be a step in right direction towards improved working and living conditions for both employees and residents.
Photo by Wayne MacPhail via Flickr CC License
