ALBERTA NDP, FAMILIES CALL ON UCP TO IMPROVE CARE, ADDRESS MOUSE INFESTATION AT RETIREMENT HOME WITH COVID VARIANT OUTBREAK

EDMONTON – UCP Seniors Minister Josephine Pon has failed to act on reports of serious cleanliness issues, including an ongoing mouse infestation, at the Churchill Manor Retirement Residence where there is also an outbreak of COVID-19 variant.

Alberta NDP Labour Critic and Edmonton-MIll Woods MLA Christina Gray was joined by Rose Zinnick, whose 94-year-old father resides at Churchill Manor, to call on Pon to ensure immediate action is taken to guarantee high-quality of care at the home, inform the families of current residents about the next steps in managing the outbreak, and address a current mouse infestation.

With the permission of a second family who wished to remain anonymous, Gray also released photos (attached) detailing the extent to which the infestation has impacted a resident’s suite at Churchill Manor. 

“There are some truly unacceptable conditions inside of Churchill Manor, including a very serious mouse infestation. On behalf of the residents, who are my constituents, and their families, I am calling on the UCP to take action today,” said Gray. “I informed Seniors Minister Josephine Pon and urged her to take immediate action but more than 24 hours later, I have still not heard back.”

Zinnick, joined by her daughter Shauna Chambers, said her 94-year-old father was informed he had COVID-19 on Monday, the same day he received his vaccine.

“I am so so angry, frustrated and disappointed. I am very concerned for my Dad. He’s scared,” she said. “Right now, I don’t know if he will get his meals, if his room will be cleaned and how they will do proper welfare checks or if they will do them often enough.I would like someone to be accountable. And I would like someone to assure me how my Dad will be taken care of.”

NDP Seniors and Housing Critic Lori Sigurdson says these stories have become far too common during the pandemic.

“We’ve seen many seniors’ facilities overwhelmed by COVID and neither the residents nor the families know where to turn,” said Sigurdson. “This really underlines the need for an independent seniors advocate who can speak up and spur the government to act. But in the meantime, Minister Pon must act today to keep the residents of Churchill Manor safe.”