Care workers say British Columbias 20-year old long-term care guidelines are dangerously low and need immediate updating.
An analysis done by the Hospital Employees Union, CUPEs BC health services division, found that care levels are about an hour less than whats needed to meet care requirements and give seniors the social and physical contact that keeps them healthy.
Funding that extra hour of care is crucial to ensure basic daily care such as feeding, repositioning patients, changing wet clothes, and helping patients use the toilet as well as exercise and perform independent activities.
The situation has become more pressing over the last decade, as the needs of people entering long-term care have risen. HEU says patients are more frail, have more complex care needs and are more likely to suffer from dementia.