SCRIPT FOR MAKING CONTACT WITH YOUR MEMBER OF THE PROVINCIAL PARLIAMENT, EITHER IN PERSON, OR BY TELEPHONE

Our loved ones in LTC deserve better.  YOU can make a difference by contacting your local MPP and sharing your concerns, either in person or by phone. Your message needs to be that our loved ones matter, and you can do that by sharing an experience or by relating a personal story.

To help you get started, we have prepared some suggestions to maximize the impact of your telephone conversation.  Please be sure you mention that you support the recommendations endorsed by Family Council Network 4 (the largest network of Family Councils in Ontario). You can reach your local MPP at either his/her parliamentary or constituency office and the best day to make this contact is on Friday, or when parliament is NOT in session.

Check this link for contact information and phone numbers.

            www.ontla.on.ca/web/members/members_current.do

            If your MPP isn't available, ask to speak to his/her Chief of Staff. 

            Ask when your MPP will be available.

            Leave your name and number for a call back.

INTRODUCTION

            Identify yourself as a constituent and a member of Family Council.

            Ask to speak to your local MPP about LTC, an issue that is important to you and the community.

OUTLINE THE ISSUE

Long-Term Care (LTC) is approaching a crisis in Ontario and we fear for our loved ones.  We, the Family Councils of the Province of Ontario, are the family members and friends of those who live in Long-Term Care Homes.  We are the advocates and the voice of these residents many of whom cannot speak for themselves and others who fear to do so).  We are asking for your help to improve the quality of care and the quality of life of these 75,000 Ontario citizens.

WHAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED

For many reasons, I am deeply concerned about the critical state of Long-Term Care (LTC) in Ontario.

Wait lists for LTC facilities have become unreasonably long.

In 2008 the Ontario government agreed to fund 2.8 hours of paid work per resident per day.  In 2014 this is no longer an adequate standard of care for the health and well-being of LTC residents.  Residents are being admitted with much higher physical, psychological and emotional needs, resulting in ever-increasing workloads for the staff who provide direct care.

The training of the Personal Support Workers, who provide much of the care, is varied, inconsistent and under-regulated.

YOUR STORY

Let me give you a personal example.  My mother/ father/ wife/ etc. .......

When we place a loved one in Long-Term Care it is because we cannot care for him/her ourselves and we do so trusting that they will be treated with respect and dignity.  However, with staff shortages and funding inadequacies, many residents have to wait an unacceptable amount of time for help in eating, receiving medications, toileting and other basic care.

OUR FAMILY COUNCIL RECOMMENDATIONS

I urge the government to improve the situation by taking the following steps:

• Immediately increase the number of paid hours of nursing and personal care per resident per day to 4.0 (as promised in the 2008/09 budget announcement).

• Develop a plan to phase in future increases so that by January 2015 the number of paid hours of nursing and personal care per resident per day is 5.0.

• Establish a licensing body, such as a College, that will develop a process of Registration, Accreditation and Certification for all Personal Support Workers in Ontario.

We are concerned for the safety and well-being of our loved-ones.  The recent media attention to abuse and murder in LTC has alerted the general public to the dangers of under-staffing and inadequate training.  Ontario is failing our vulnerable elder residents.  We are endangering their lives and making their final days -- a misery!  Consider how you would want your loved one, or you yourself, to be treated.  Please help vulnerable Ontario citizens live out their remaining days with dignity and comfort, free from the physical and mental pain and suffering caused by inadequate care. 

WHAT WE ARE ASKING THE ONTARIO GOVERNMENT TO DO

As a concerned Ontario citizen and an advocate for my (parent/ family member/spouse/ friend/ etc.) and for all residents in Long-Term Care, I am personally ......  requesting your support to change the current situation by implementing the recommendations identified by the Family Council Network 4  Advocacy Committee and incorporated in a petition signed by over 20,000 concerned citizens.  This petition has already been tabled 22 times in the Ontario Legislature.

We are asking  the Members of the Provincial Parliament of Ontario to work together to make improvements to Long-Term Care a top priority for Ontario and achieve a better quality of life for our vulnerable citizens.

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