Face of Nation International : Margaret Calver recently celebrated her husband Wayne’s birthday at Markhaven Home for Seniors in Markham, Ont. Wayne is quarantined along with all the other residents. Margaret says she worries about how staff will cope following a COVID-19 outbreak in the facility. (Submitted by Margaret Calver)
Like many Canadians with loved ones in long-term care, being denied the ability to visit during the COVID-19 pandemic has been very difficult for Margaret Calver, 81, who used to volunteer daily at her husband’s residence, Markhaven Home for Seniors.
But for the facility north of Toronto, keeping visitors out has not stopped the coronavirus from getting in. And now families are concerned about how staff will manage to protect other residents and themselves.
“I’m very worried,” Calver said. “I don’t know how the staff is going to cope with all of this.”
Markhaven is one of at least 20 long-term care homes in Canada that have seen residents contract COVID-19.
A resident there was diagnosed with the illness on March 20, and since then, two personal support workers have also tested positive. COVID-19 is particularly dangerous for the elderly, with a death rate that is significantly higher for those over 60. At least 20 seniors’ home residents in Canada have died of the illness — more than half of the country’s total death toll.
Eleven of those who died were residents of a single long-term care home in North Vancouver. Given the serious health issues of residents and the already high demands on staff, seniors’ homes across the country are facing extremely difficult challenges during the pandemic. (Source: CBC News – Canada)
