A leading advocacy group for seniors is calling for a public inquiry into the treatment of residents in long-term care facilities.
CARP (formerly the Canadian Association of Retired Persons) made the call after former nurse Elizabeth Wettlaufer admitted to killing eight residents of nursing homes in Woodstock and London. CARP says the inquiry should look into the "abuse, neglect and untimely deaths of long-term care residents in Canada."
“The murder of these eight elderly residents in their long-term care facility puts a disturbing spotlight on long-term care,” says Wanda Morris, VP of Advocacy for CARP. “What is worse is that this case is not an isolated incident. For years, we’ve heard stories about residents who suffered or die to neglect, abuse and violence in facilities meant to be providing care.”
The court in Woodstock heard on Thursday that Wettlaufer injected her victims with insulin with the intention of killing them. Wettlaufer often worked night shifts and had access to insulin supplies. Her confession spoke of a "red surge" that was the result of anger about her job and her life, which led to the urge to kill. She told the court she was not under the influence of any drugs at the time of the murders.
“CARP is very concerned about attitudes and behaviours towards our most vulnerable Canadians in long-term care,” says Morris. “A public inquiry is long-overdue.”