Feb 25, 2014 in News Long-term Care

Long-term Care: Fire in Quebec senior home raises safety questions in Ontario

[caption id="attachment_5854" align="alignright" width="300"] (Photo credit: Mari/iStockphoto.com)[/caption] The residents of L'Isle-Verte mourn as investigators continue to search for missing seniors in the la R?sidence du Havre, a seniors' home that was lit ablaze in a deadly fire on January 23. Cold and icy conditions have hampered the police's efforts, but so far it's been reported that at least 27 people were killed in the blaze. Unfortunately, the process may take some time with the structure's remains covered in thick ice with investigators using steam to slowly melt it. Police are still figuring out what caused the fire, but media reports say that the facility's sprinklers weren't working in that section of the building. The blaze spread quickly and unfortunately many of the home's occupants were immobile and needed a walker or assistance to walk. All the residents were between the age of 82 and 99. There were 52 residents living in the facility at the time, according to government documents, and fire fighters were able to rescue 20 people from the home. Since the incident, there's been a call from the Quebec Association of Fire Chiefs to launch a public inquiry into the situation. The inquiry would help answer the public's questions about senior residences, such as what fire protection is in them and what fire prevention is conducted, said the association's president. The Canadian Association of Retired Persons (CARP), which represents elderly people, says that the government needs to improve its safety rules for seniors' homes across the country, which includes creating rules in all provinces on retrofitting older homes. In some homes, there are other facilities without sprinklers and that's following government regulation, Susan Eng, vice-president for advocacy at CARP, told CBC in an interview. Ontario is one of the few provinces with retrofitting rules in seniors' homes and retirement homes. Improving the safety for these homes needs to be led by the federal government, she adds. Contrary to improving regulation, in Quebec, small private safety seniors' homes are seeing relaxed rules that will come effect in February. Homes with less than 50 residents will not need to hire trained night attendants to look after the seniors and night attendants that are hired will no longer need to have basic first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation training. The Quebec health minister told the Globe and Mail that the government is looking into legislation requiring all seniors' homes to have sprinklers, which could also include a financial assistance program to help with the retrofit. With more and more baby boomers aging, a seniors' home or retirement home are two of the options that families consider. It's important to ensure that any facilities you or your loved one live in are safe, which includes proper fire safety, fire prevention and sufficient number of staff to assist you or your loved one with their needs. The unfortunate incident may lead Ontario to speed up phasing in sprinklers in retirement homes, which was made mandatory in May 2013. All new homes are required to have them, while private facilities have five years to comply and government-owned facilities have until 2025 to comply. In Ontario, there are 700 retirement homes housing 40,000 seniors, along with another 400 long-term care facilities that house another 76,000 people, according to Global News. The personal injury and accident lawyers at Neinstein Personal Injury Lawyers have been handling all types of injuries for over 40 years. We understand the impacts wrongful death can have on your life and we know how to help you. Call us at 416-920-4242. Set up a free consultation and come talk with us.