In November alone, at least 1,142 residents of nursing, retirement and assisted-living facilities died of COVID-19, according to a Globe and Mail tally of data from all provinces except British Columbia, which declined to provide a figure. That’s 61 per cent of virus deaths outside of B.C. last month.
As well, nursing and retirement homes are experienced at vaccinating against influenza. Most of their workers, mindful of the flu’s ability to kill the elderly, roll up their sleeves every year. According to a bulletin published by Public Health Ontario on influenza immunization rates, 76.4 per cent of staff in long-term care homes got the flu shot in 2019-20, well above the 54.1 per cent of staff in hospitals.
Consent is one of the first hurdles homes will face. Dr. Sinha said 70 per cent of long-term care residents have dementia; many won’t be capable of saying “yes” to a COVID-19 vaccine on their own. Administrators will have to ask relatives for permission, a process that can’t begin in earnest until Health Canada authorizes the first vaccine.
The same fate could befall essential family caregivers. Their vital role in feeding, bathing and entertaining residents became clear in the first wave of COVID-19, when they were locked out of seniors’ facilities as a precaution. Since then, several provinces have permitted residents to designate one or two essential caregivers who can come in wearing personal protective equipment.
sadly BC has not recognized “essential family caregivers” DrBonnieHenry adriandix jjhorgan bcndp have even ignored recommendations made by SrsAdvocateBC to do so. so we won’t be part of the equation when deciding who gets vaccine first