Media Advisory: York region LTC staff at Aurora street festival, join provincial week of action for more resident care

AURORA, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - June 5, 2015) - June is "seniors' month" in Ontario and long-term care (LTC) workers from York region nursing homes are joining LTC staff from across the province, in a week of actions to highlight the real need for increased care for long-term care residents.

They want the province to make a 4 hour hands-on daily care standard for long-term care residents the law and are looking for community support to make that happen.

On Sunday June 7 between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. registered practical nurses (RPNs), personal support workers (PSWs) and other front line LTC staff will take part in the Aurora Street Festival. They will be at a festival booth at the SE corner of Yonge and Church streets providing information about CUPE Ontario's Time to Care campaign and soliciting support for increased care for nursing home residents.

"Here in York Region and across the province, long-term care workers want the best for our residents in nursing homes. That means our provincial government has to give us the time to care for residents who have increasing and complex medical needs. The province needs to change legislation to make that happen," says Kelly O'Sullivan with CUPE Ontario's health care workers' committee.

Similar 4 hour daily hands-on care standard events are being held between June 6 and June 13 in communities across the province. They include several "walking for seniors" events in Ottawa, London and Sault Ste. Marie. As well LTC workers will be going door-to-door or be at shopping malls and at farmers' markets and other community events asking residents to sign a petition calling for a legislated resident care standard, among other asks.

The petition which calls for the following will be presented in the Ontario Legislature by MPPs:

• An amendment must be made to the Long-Term Care Homes Act (2007) for a legislated care standard of a minimum 4 hours per resident each day adjusted for acuity level and case mix;
• Increased funding to achieve a staffing and care standard and tying funding to the provision of quality care and staffing levels that meet the minimum care standard of 4 hours;
• The province must stop closing hospital beds and downloading of hospital patients with complex medical conditions to long-term care homes.

For more information about CUPE Ontario's Time to Care campaign for a legislated 4 hour daily resident care standard go to: http://cupe.on.ca/campaigns/time-to-care-long-term-care.