Long-term care homes blame supply chain for air conditioning woes
LTC homes had until June 22 to provide air conditioning to all resident rooms
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Despite having months to meet a June 22 deadline to install air conditioning in all long-term care rooms, 90 residences in Ontario have not complied.
Operators are blaming supply chain issues.
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Caressant Care said 27% of its Ontario homes are affected.
“We have 15 LTC homes across Ontario. Of those 15, four do not yet have AC in all resident rooms,” Caressant said in a statement.
“Two of the homes have been partially done and are waiting on supplies and labour to complete within the next month. Two homes are special order units and are taking longer due to supply chain challenges.”
The association representing about 70% of the province’s homes said, “Homes are working with the Ministry of Long-Term Care to do everything they can to put air conditioning in place.”
CEO of the Ontario Long Term Care Association (OLTCA) Donna Duncan said, “Global supply chain issues and an ongoing pandemic have made this a more complicated process for some homes than others.”
OLTCA also said providing air conditioning to each room can be delayed if a home goes into outbreak.
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As of July 16, Public Health Ontario reported 160 long-term care homes had active outbreaks.
The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) is slamming the Ontario government.
“We require immediate action to ensure the safety of all residents and staff. Seniors have already paid the price, and more will suffer without immediate access to air conditioning,” Debra Maxfield, a frontline personal support worker and chair of CUPE’s Health Care Workers Coordinating Committee, said in a statement.
“This is not the time for the government to continue to be absent.”
Minister of Long-Term Care Paul Calandra says the province is following up with homes that have failed to meet the deadline.
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A spokesperson for the ministry says 537 of the province’s 627 long-term care homes were fully air-conditioned as of Tuesday.
It could not say how many residents are affected.
The lack of air conditioning to all rooms comes during scorching temperatures.
Environment Canada issued a heat alert for Friday and Saturday — with a possibility it could stretch into Sunday.
“Hot and humid air can also bring deteriorating air quality and can result in the Air Quality Health Index approaching the high-risk category,” it forecast. “Watch for the effects of heat illness: swelling, rash, cramps, fainting, heat exhaustion, heat stroke and the worsening of some health conditions.”
On Twitter: @_ScottLaurie
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