Canada’s largest advocacy group for older Canadians calls abuse in long-term care homes ‘a growing crisis’ in a news release issued today.
The call for a public inquiry comes just after former nurse Elizabeth Wetlauffer pled guilty to all eight charges of murder, four charges of attempted murder and two of aggravated assault of residents in a long-term care home.
At Carressant Care, in Woodstock, she worked as a nurse and supervised RPNs and personal support workers. In court, it was confirmed that the cause of the deaths was from insulin injections.
“The murder of these eight elderly residents in their long-term care facility puts a disturbing spotlight on long-term care,” says Wanda Morris, VP of Advocacy for CARP.
“What is worse is that this case is not an isolated incident. For years, we’ve heard stories about residents who suffered or died due to neglect, abuse and violence in facilities meant to be providing care,” says Morris.
Wetlauffer knew insulin was not monitored and often worked at night and had free access to it. In court, she said she was not intoxicated by drugs and alcohol when she injected these people with insulin. She understood she was causing bodily harm.
She pleaded guilty to all 14 counts (eight murder, four attempted murder, two aggravated assault).
“CARP is very concerned about attitudes and behaviours towards our most vulnerable Canadians in long-term care,” says Morris. “A public inquiry is long-overdue.”
