Weyburn senior evicted from long-term care home
SHA ruled Fred Sandeski, 71, not sick enough to stay in facility
A handful of friends and family gathered outside the Weyburn Special Care Home on Wednesday in support of 71-year-old Fred Sandeski as he was evicted from the facility.
Sandeski, who suffers from COPD, epilepsy and vision loss, has lived at the long-term care facility for the last several months.
"The staff are great, it's the policies and regulations that have to change," Sandeski said. "We have to rely on our governments and they're just not doing it."
Sandeski said that after two health assessments, the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) has determined he does not qualify to remain in the provincially-run long-term care home.
"I didn't qualify because I'm not quite sick enough yet," he said.
"When I get sicker, then they're going to take me and look at it again. I want them to know it's definitely wrong."
'Too many barriers'
Sandeski moved into the care home last fall for respite care while his wife and primary caregiver, Teresa Sandeski, underwent surgery.
When Teresa's hospital stay was extended, Fred was allowed to remain in the home on a temporary basis, paying $50 per day.
Now back home, Teresa said she is not strong enough to care for Fred on her own.
"I found that it was getting too much," Teresa said.
"I mean, I'm one year younger than him, but even with my disability, the body is telling me that I've got to slow down, but I still have to work just to have that extra income to be able to pay our bills."
Fred said one factor in the SHA's decision is that he's not yet incontinent, something the couple said shouldn't outweigh his other needs.
"We're hoping that the government is going to start realizing that they're putting too many barriers on the low income sector altogether, seniors particularly, because this is ridiculous to have to go through three or four different trials before they can allow you to stay at a long-term care," Fred said.
Province says care home spots reserved for complex needs
In a statement to CBC, the Ministry of Health said long-term care is intended for "people with high or complex care requirements that cannot be safely managed at home, even with home care or other supports."
That sentiment was echoed by Lori Carr, minister of mental health and addictions, seniors and rural and remote health, during question period on Wednesday.
"I've been advised by officials that Mr. Sandeski has been assessed twice and does not qualify," Carr said.
The province also said it has been in contact with the family "to determine appropriate services that meet Mr. Sandeski's current needs."
Teresa said those services aren't a real solution.
"The other option is limited home care, which doesn't come close to what he actually needs," Teresa said.
The couple hopes an exception can be made and that public support might highlight what they see as a gap in Saskatchewan's long-term care system.
"I'm a wreck. But I mean, I'll do what I can," Teresa said.
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