On July 10, 2018, the Quebec Council for the Protection of Patients and co-plaintiff Daniel Pilote (who is a long-term care resident in Quebec), filed an application for a class-action lawsuit that targets care facilities (CHSLDs) in Quebec, Canada (more here).
Larochelle Avocats, the lawyers taking the case forward, list 19 potential breaches of the Quebec health care act in an online form that invites Quebeckers with family in long-term care in the province to participate in the class action.
My mother experienced 11 of the neglectful and abusive practices on this list, as well as others which I would also consider to be neglect and abuse, while in a private Quebec nursing home (aka DementiaJail).
Here’s the starter list of 19 neglectful and abusive practices that violate LTC residents’ human rights according to the law firm:
- Inadequate or infrequent bathing
- Incontinence pads not changed frequently enough
- Forced incontinence
- Unsatisfactory dental hygiene
- Lack of dental treatment
- Incompetent or insufficient bedside care and/or basic hygiene
- Having to pay for services or goods which should be included in the cost of care
- Inadequate medical follow-up
- Medication mismanagement
- Inappropriate use of antipsychotics
- Excessive use of physical restraints
- Lack of physiotherapy
- Inadequate and/or poor quality meals
- Rushed and/or rigid mealtimes
- Staff requesting payment “under the table”
- Disregard for the right to sleep
- Rough treatment during transfers
- Isolation
- Forced to pay for air-conditioning in the summer
I have applied to be part of the class action suit, and I will actively participate if it goes forward. This is the kind of drastic action we need to take in order to create change.
Do you have a family member, friend, or someone you know in long-term care? Have you seen any of these practices firsthand? If so, please speak out against the violations of their human rights.
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My Alzheimer's Story 
So glad to see that there is a class action suit to help those who are being so abused. I smiled when I saw the date of July 10th since that is my mother’s birthday. She’s gone now, but I can only hope that those who can still benefit by the class action, will find some changes while they are still alive and living with this terrible disease. I think someone needs to remind the doctors of their Hippocratic oath: ‘first, do no harm’ How do these doctors prescribing drugs to help keep our loved ones so drugged that they are not a “problem”.. like wandering! Ofcourse they should be sitting around staring at four walls or a TV blaring instead of have some stimulation to keep whatever remains of “them” in there – alive!! Even though I’m in the US, please keep us informed on how the case goes. There will be so many others in the future that could benefit from your terrible experience. Thank you dear Susan for all you do to keep this issue in the forefront – until one day we see a change!
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Thanks Connie,
You’re right that doctors need to be reminded to “first, do no harm.” I’m pleased to know you’re still following the blog, and that you are well. I will definitely keep you and everyone else posted with respect to the class-action suit, although, as you probably know, the legal system grinds extraordinarily slowly… Don’t hold your breath!
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