Windsor long-term care home sees resident violence

By Angelica Haggert

Cognitive impairment in long-term care residents leads to aggressive behaviour.

Violence between residents at long-term care facilities is on the rise province-wide, including in Windsor, according to an investigative story by CBC’s Marketplace.

It reported since 2010 abuse events and allegations at care facilities must be reported in accordance with the Long Term Care Homes Act. In Windsor, multiple abuse allegations have been reported at Banwell Gardens Care Centre.

On Jan. 19, the Banwell Gardens Care Centre released a statement to CBC acknowledging the incidents and emphasizing their zero-tolerance policy on abuse.

“The home works in collaboration with the physician to assess the person’s responsive behaviour and deliver an appropriate treatment plan,” said Tanya Adams, Banwell Gardens administrator.

“We use behavioural modification and other strategies to prevent escalating emotions and help calm and redirect residents who demonstrate aggressive behaviour.”

A report released in July 2017 by the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care highlights a rise in abuse between residents, with 2,436 cases reported in 2015 and 3,238 cases reported in 2016.

The Ontario Long Term Care Association (OLTCA) points out 9 out of 10 residents in long-term care facilities have cognitive impairments.

“[This impairment] is often accompanied with behaviour changes,” said Adams. “Most resident-on-resident incidents are caused by someone with cognitive impairment.”

According to OLTCA, 63 per cent of long term care residents have Alzheimer’s or other dementias. More than 40 per cent of these residents exhibit aggressive behaviour or mood disorders.

In 2011, OLTCA developed the Behavioural Supports Ontario (BSO) program, which provides staff training to redirect residents when behaviour is challenging. Banwell Gardens Care Centre is one of the BSO locations in Erie-St. Clair Shores.

“Severe incidents of resident-on-resident violence are extremely rare,” said Adams. Reported incidents of abuse are not always substantiated when investigated.