Summerland care home problems persist after senior's death
An Okanagan seniors’ facility where a 91-year-old man lay dying for three days continues to have health and safety issues, according to an Interior Health Authority report.
The document, released Wednesday, indicates staff members at the Summerland Seniors Village were not reporting serious incidents and complaints.
The report also noted non-licensed employees at the facility were administering medication.
The investigation was prompted after Alfredo Bonaldi, 91, was found near death in his room in November after being left unattended for days. He died later in hospital.
Bonaldi’s daughter Edi Inglis says she's glad the health authority is now working with the care home, but wishes the concerns had been addressed earlier.
“It wasn't until we had to go to media to be listened to and it’s unfortunate that it had to go to these drastic measures to get something changed,” she told CBC News.
Inglis wants governments to introduce financial penalties for care facilities that are found not complying with health standards.
"We need to protect our seniors that are in there and if it doesn't go to legislation and be law and hold them to it, we're worried that it can slip by the wayside a few years down the road."
Interior Health has suspended new admissions at the care home until the issues have been resolved.
