Cookies and cupcakes bearing the call for long-term care minimum standards will be delivered to all Liberal MPPs in the province tomorrow, June 30, courtesy of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE).
The treats are topped with icing spelling out “3.5”, the average number of hours of care per day that residents should receive in Ontario long-term care homes. The action comes at the close of Seniors’ Month, and marks Long-term Care Resident Appreciation Day. Some facilities will also be marking the event by serving cake and other goodies to residents and family members to mark the end of Seniors’ Month.
WHAT: Special delivery of baked goods to Liberal MPPs demanding minimum care standards in long-term care
WHO: Courtesy of CUPE Ontario long-term care workers
WHEN: Tuesday, June 30. Times will vary.
WHERE: Deliveries will be made to all Liberal MPP constituency offices
Despite many promises, the McGuinty government has refused to bring in minimum standards of care for long-term care residents. CUPE and other front-line unions in long-term care have identified the need for, on average, 3.5 hours of care per resident, per day.
But the absence of enforceable standards means that money flowing into the sector is not translating into more care. CUPE will release tomorrow the results of a Freedom of Information request showing that long-term care funding has increased but care levels are not rising proportionally.
Contact:
David Robbins, CUPE Communications, cell 613 878 1431