Retirement home removed door handles to residents' rooms during COVID outbreak
Author of the article:Joe Warmington
Publishing date:Feb 13, 2021 • 13 hours ago • 2 minute read
An investigation is under way after reports surfaced that residents of White Cliffe Terrace Retirement Residence, in Courtice, had their door handles removed to prevent them from leaving their suites. PHOTO BY JACK BOLAND /Toronto Sun/Postmedia Network
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Taking the handles off doors to trap potentially COVID-positive seniors in their rooms was so “disturbing” that the president of the company that owns the retirement home in Durham Region was furious.
Now David Bird — president and CEO of Diversicare Canada, which operates White Cliffe Terrace in Courtice — has apologized.
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“We are connecting with residents and family members to let them know what happened, how truly sorry we are, and the steps we are taking to prevent this from happening again,” he told the Toronto Sun in a statement Saturday.
“We are thankful no residents were harmed due to these actions and I am thankful that this serious incident was brought to our attention,” he added.
First came revelations of quarantined travellers being confined to their hotel rooms, and now comes word a senior’s residence is being investigated for preventing residents from being able to leave their rooms.
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Fortunately, Bird was quick to acknowledge the problem and took immediate action to fix it.
“I was deeply disturbed to learn that a small number of resident suite door handles were removed in our residence within the Assisted Living household – it was a violation of our protocols and practices,” he said. “As soon as we became aware of the incident, all residents’ door handles were immediately reinstalled.
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Bird said the general manager of the residence has also been placed on leave
One family who has frequented the home said this would be classified as an “out of character” approach for a centre that is generally known as warm and generous.
When so many seniors have died in long-term homes as a result of the coronavirus, people are understandably frightened.
But Ontario’s Ministry of Seniors and Accessibility released a statement condemning the removal of door handles from seniors’ rooms as “completely unacceptable” and assured it “will not be tolerated.”
Durham Regional Police have been notified.
“We are looking into the matter,” Sgt. George Tudos said.
Meanwhile, Bird has assured the media it will not happen again.
“There is absolutely no excuse to remove door handles — ever,” he said. “We have deployed a senior member of our team at the residence now to conduct a thorough review of all operations and to support our residents and team members.”
“Residents and family members trust us to provide a very high standard of service to our residents and we let them down. We will do everything we can to earn back their trust,” Bird added.
jwarmington@postmedia.com
Removing door handles to trap seniors in their rooms was so “disturbing” the CEO of the company that owns the retirement home was furious.
torontosun.com