Gwendolyn Deraspe, 86, was discharged from Ridge Meadows Hospital on Nov. 26, put in a taxi and sent to the Downtown Eastside where she was expected to check in to a women’s shelter. Her family says the case illustrates a failure in care for vulnerable people. Photo by Jim Caya
Alec Lazenby, Glenda Luymes Published Nov 29, 2024
Affordable housing isn’t in place for seniors who need home support and have complex health needs, says seniors advocate Dan Levitt
B.C.’s senior’s advocate is raising concerns about the shortcomings in seniors’ care, a day after Postmedia reported that an 86-year-old blind woman had been discharged from a Maple Ridge hospital and sent by cab to a women’s shelter in the Downtown Eastside.
While Gwendolyn Deraspe was returned to Ridge Meadows Hospital after the director of the DTES Women’s Centre said there was no space for her, senior’s advocate Dan Levitt says this was not an isolated case.
“Our office hears stories like this from families where seniors are discharged from the hospital, they feel the process wasn’t smooth, particularly when the senior has complex health and housing needs,” said Levitt.
“When we hear stories like this, it’s very concerning because that affordable housing isn’t in place for seniors who need home support and have complex health needs. Seniors have the right to health care and housing support when they’re going home from hospital.”
Wendy Deraspe, 86, with her son-in-law Jim Caya at Ridge Meadows Hospital in Maple Ridge, BC Wednesday, November 27, 2024. Deraspe, who is blind with mobility issues, was released from the hospital Tuesday and sent by taxi to a women’s shelter in the DTES. The shelter was told the hospital had no room and could not take care of her. She was then sent by taxi to VGH where they sent her back to Ridge Meadows Hospital. Photo by Jason Payne /PNG
He said there were 13,000 seniors on a waiting list for subsidized housing as of March and about 40 per cent had been waiting for more than two years. A further 17 per cent had been waiting for five or more years.
Health Minister Josie Osborne was not made available for an interview Thursday but in a statement said: “Fraser Health has apologized to the patient and her family for the distress they have experienced, and I would like to extend my apologies to her and her family as well.” Osborne added the case is under review.
She said that Deraspe “is receiving care and support at the Ridge Meadows Hospital and Fraser Health is connecting her with housing supports to ensure a safe discharge is co-ordinated when appropriate.”
Dan Levitt, B.C.’s seniors advocate says: “Our office hears stories like this from families where seniors are discharged from the hospital, they feel the process wasn’t smooth, particularly when the senior has complex health and housing needs.” Photo by NICK PROCAYLO /PNG
Deraspe’s son-in-law, Jim Caya, said Thursday he met with the director of Ridge Meadows Hospital and was satisfied with the response. Deraspe is able to stay at the hospital so she can receive care for several medical conditions, including cataracts, heart disease and mobility issues.
