« It’s a terrible feeling to leave a loved one behind. »
I wonder how she feels as she leaves the home she built with me and where we raised our children. All her stuff is here, everything that could build her
explains Alfred Aquilina in his home in Sault-Sainte-Marie.
However, a familiar face awaited his wife in her new home.
Alfred Aquilina and his wife were part of the Alzheimer Society of Ontario’s pilot project in several communities in northern Ontario. This project pairs employees who prepare a person with dementia and their family for the installation of the ill person in a long-term care home. These employees then continue on-site follow-up for three weeks.
The Alzheimer Society is asking the provincial government for nearly $22 million to fund this transition program.
Hospitals are not a good solution, says the Society
Nearly a third of residents with dementia will go to the emergency room within a month of admission. According to the Alzheimer Society of Ontario, this experience can be stressful and even traumatic for these people.
The hospital environment is disruptive and disconcerting
says Cathy Barrick, CEO of the Alzheimer Society of Ontario. She points out that a person with dementia should not be taken to the emergency room but that right now the hospital is the only option for many families.
She adds that these people require a lot of attention and care and that hospital staff are currently overloaded with responsibilities.
Many funding requests
The Alzheimer Society of Ontario has made three requests for funding, including $7.6 million for the expansion of a pilot project in the Bradford area. This amount would be invested in community programs for people with dementia.
An amount of $3.3 million would also be paid into a program that would aim to refer those diagnosed to support programs. According to the Society, the additional funds could help nearly 5,000 new patients.
Hannah Jensen, spokesperson for Health Minister Sylvia Jones, says the province has provided $5 million for the dementia strategy, including residential and community support programs, orientation for patients as well as more training and education for organizations and workers.
Mercedes Aquilina has been in a long-term care facility for seven weeks. Mr. Aquilina, her husband, explains that her condition changes from day to day but that she tries to accept her situation. And, despite her sometimes incomprehensible speech, she is in a good mood and occasionally cracks jokes.
But I laugh anyway, because it makes me happy to see her happy
he said.
With information from The Canadian Press