Nursing home survey finds understaffing tops concerns

Almost a third of Albertanswith relatives in nursing homes are worried the homes are understaffed, suggests a survey commissioned by the Health Quality Council of Alberta.

The council released the survey Wednesday, the first-ever survey of those who live in nursing homes and their family members.

The results will provide a benchmark to measure quality of care in the facilities, said CEO Andrew Neuner.

The survey found unexpected results, Neuner said.

For example, whether the home is publicly owned or private hadno influence on resident or family experience.

Also nine of 10 families and residents would recommend their care home to others.

However, the survey also found 29 per centof families worried about the availability of staff to assist their family members.

Neuner said he was also surprised by the number of people who responded tothe questionnaire.

What this response rate tells us is Albertans want their voice to be heard and they believe this is an appropriate way for them to be able to express their feelings and share to their thoughts with others.

Theresearch was conducted between April 2013 and January 2014 by the HQCA in collaboration with Alberta Health and Alberta Health Servicesat 134 facilities across the province all of which have 24-hour access to nursing care, or nursing care on site.

Neuner says another survey, covering the entire continuing care system, will come out later this year.