The Liberals are calling on John Horgan’s government to make sure that people living in long term care facilities aren’t left all alone.
The Omicron variant has led health officials to reinstate restrictions of visitors to the care homes, which has left residents feeling even more isolated and does not help with their overall well being.
Interim liberal leader Shirly bond noted that advocates and family members have spoken about the importance of residents having at least one essential visitor. But over the past two years the government has made essential visitors the decision of the care homes as opposed to mandating the measure.
As a result, many families have struggled to obtain essential visitor status and many have been unable to care for their family member.
Seniors advocate Isobel Mackenzie says that only about 20 per cent of residents have designated essential visitors and she also said residents have told her they would rather risk potential COVID exposure over being isolated and not having visitors.
Bond says that with the current visitor restrictions in place, the government needs to make sure every resident has at least one essential visitor regardless of what care home they reside in.
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