Report following abuse charges at retirement home released

The MontrgieHealth Agencyis giving a long-term care facility 30 days to comply with recommended changesafter two caregivers were arrested last December andcharged with mistreating elderly patients at the CHSLD in Saint-Lambertsur-le-golf.

The President and CEOof the Montrgie Health Agency, Richard Deschamps, says theaccusationsof assaulting and drugging elderly patientscompelled the agency to order an investigation.

Considering the seriousness of the acts that were committed, we had the obligation to do something, saidDeschamps.

The report into that investigation came out Tuesday.

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The report finds the quality of care at the CHSLD meets agency standards, but lists 26 recommendations five of whichare deemedpriorities.

"Despite the criticism, the report reinforces the fact that we meet the expectationsregarding the quality and safety of care," said Deschamps.

Deschampssays care for patients with cognitive problems needs to be improved.

Mostof the recommended changes are based on complaints from families who have loved ones at theCHSLDSt-Lambert-sur-le-Golf.

They include less turnover in staffingand improved communication between staff and families.

Louis Plamondonhas been tracking complaints against the facility for threeyearsas head of a seniors' rights groupl'Association qubcoise de dfense des droitsdes retraits.

He saysthe report is flawedif it concludes care at the centre is adequate.

"It is a constant failure of the agency to be unable tomonitor andmanagethe establishment, and indications of danger [to patients]are very high,"saidPlamondon.

He sayshe doubts the CHSLD will comply with the changesin the recommended time.

Other complaints

CHSLDSt-Lambert-sur-Le-Golfis a public-private-partnership run by Groupe Savoie, which runs several other private residences.

At the time of the arrests,Plamondon said that hed received 48 complaints of negligence from 25 families since the opening of theCHSLD St-Lambert-sur-le-Golf in2011.

Since the beginning, we have had a lot of problems with this establishment, saidPlamondon.

He said hedhelped some families install electronic surveillance systems in their loved ones rooms because of suspected abuse or negligence.

GroupeSavoiesays they have always fully cooperated with authorities during any investigations at their residences.