Yukon desperate for more long-term care, nurses say

The group that represents registered nurses in the Yukon says that a long-term care facility the government plans to buildin Whistle Bend is desperately needed, but it's not the only way the government should invest in an aging population.

"There's not one answer to this," says Sean Secord, president of the Yukon Registered Nurses Association. "We need multiple answers."

Right now, many people are placed in Whitehorse General Hospital, awaiting spots at one of the existing long term care facilities, such as Copper Ridge Place or the Thomson Centre. Secord says they often account for up to one-third of the patients in the hospital.

"They're not getting the care they need in the right place."

Home care needed

More home care would be another good option, he says, for people who are still at home waiting for a spot in extended care.

ManyYukoners,whowant their parents to stay at home, agree.

CraigFrechettesays his mother is still in her own house.

"She'spretty happy there," he says."We get people to come in andlook after her. She'd rather live there than in an old folks home."

Robertson Bales says he'd prefer home care when he gets too old to look after himself. "The last thing I want is to be put in some huge facility."

Sue Thomas says staying in familiar surroundings is important for people as they age. "It's better for youemotionally, so you thrive at a high level."

No consultation on Whistle Bend

Secord says the nurses association was not consulted about locating the new long-term facility in Whistle Bend.He won't say whether he supports putting the facility there or not, but he is clear that the territory desperately needs another facility.

"Macauley Lodge is not going to be around forever," he says. "Copper Ridge Place was full soon after it was built. We have a wait list in several places. We do need options for long-term care."