Nova Scotia nursing home deaths by numbers, circumstances

EightseniorshavediedinlongtermcarehomesinNovaScotiafrom2008to2016as"aresultofviolence,"as described in deathreports to the government. The public was previously toldabout three incidents.

• Majority of violent Nova Scotia nursing home deaths not made public

This is a list of the descriptions of theincidents, taken from government records:

Aug.12, 2008, Mountain Lea Lodge, Bridgetown

Circumstances: "(Blank) had dementia and was placed at (blank).After only being there for (blank) was pushed by another resident,fell and (blank)."

What authorities told the public: RCMP did not issue a publicnotice because "case not deemed to be criminal in nature."

May 18, 2009, Glen Haven Manor, New Glasgow

Circumstances: "She (a staff person) is reporting the death ...a short time ago in their facility. Medical records history
describes an 'altercation' at the nursing home during whichdecedent was pushed by another resident where (blank) fell on(blank)."

What authorities told the public: New Glasgow police did notissue a public notice due to decision not to proceed with criminalinvestigation.

July 8, 2011, Harbour View Haven, Lunenburg

Circumstances: These are severely redacted. The statement saysonly, "Deceased fell on (blank) at the nursing home and prior tothe fall decedent was able to (blank)."

What authorities told the public:RCMP did not issue a publicnotice because "case not deemed to be criminal in nature."

Feb. 5, 2011, Arborstone, Halifax

Circumstances: "The deceased was in a hallway and there was analtercation between the deceased and another resident. The deceasedwas apparently 'shoved to the floor with great force,' striking awall and later noted to have a possible (blank)."

What authorities told the public: Halifax police announced aninvestigation and then announced there would be no charges followinga homicide investigation into the death of 92-year-old woman who washurt in the fall.

Police said the woman died from injuries relatedto the fall about a month after she was pushed by another residentin a dementia unit on Jan.7.

At the time, The Canadian Pressreported that the Arborstone Enhanced Care Nursing Home issued astatement saying neither woman had a history of aggressive behaviourtowards each other or other clients.

March 1, 2012, Mountain Lea Lodge, Bridgetown

Circumstances: "In its investigation, one of the residents toldthe staff that the deceased had been pushed by (blank) ... "

What authorities told the public: RCMP did not issue a publicnotice because "case not deemed to be criminal in nature."

Oct. 6, 2013, Parkstone Enhanced Care, Halifax

Circumstances: "A resident ... was pushed by another residentcausing (blank) to fall backwards."

What authorities told the public: Halifax police announced aninvestigation. Following a news release, CBCnews reported that a74-year-old woman allegedly got into an altercation with a91-year-old woman.

Sept. 15, 2015, Harbourstone Enhanced Care, Sydney

Circumstances: "According to the notes, the deceased was pushedby another resident ... at a nursing home."

What authorities told the public: Police did not publicize thecase after deciding there was no criminal intent.

Sept. 20, 2015, Parkstone Enhanced Care, Halifax

Circumstances: "Another patient pushed the deceased causing ...to fall to the floor striking (blank)."

What authorities told the public: Halifax police announced ahomicide investigation and later announced the case was dropped.They said a 71-year-old man was involved in an altercation with an81-year-old man at the facility and was not charged because he had acognitive impairment.

(SOURCE: Nova Scotia Medical Examiner Service, Halifax police,RCMP, New Glasgow police, CBRM police. Dates provided are forreports on the deaths, not actual incidents.)