St. Jacobs retirement home fights to keep licence after 'numerous' inspections

The Village Manor retirement home in St. Jacobs is appealing an orderissued by a provincial regulator to have its licence revoked.

"We do not make decisions like this lightly," said Phil Norris, manager of communications for the Retirement Homes Regulatory Authority.

Norris said the home has been inspected "numerous" times in the last three years.

According to reports posted online, an inspector last year found problems that included the home's licensee allegedly borrowing money from a residentand a manager making "humiliating" remarks.

A report dated May 23, 2019 noted that a manager had drilled screws into the frames of the home's exterior doors to try and contain a resident with "wandering behaviours."

"The evidence revealed the residents at the home would be unable to open the doors in an emergency," the report said.

The revocation order is currently under appeal with the Licence Appeal Tribunal.

Thelicensee, Debbie Moore, said in an email to CBC that no one at the residence has been abused.

"We are a smallfamily home caring for 21 people who make a wonderful life for themselves here every day," Moore said in the email.

"We are dedicated to operating our home in a manner that allows the residents to live with dignity, respect, privacy and autonomy in security, safety and comfort."

Norris said that the home's licensee is required to keep caring for residents until the home ceases to operate. At this time, that date has been set for Oct.9 this year.

The licensee is also required to help residents find new accommodations.

An appeal on the matter has been set for May 12 in Kitchener.