Winnipeg man who says home care failed his dying wife plans to speak at Manitoba Legislature – Winnipeg
An empty bedroom sits at the end of the hall where Eric de Schepper’s wife spent her last days.
“It’s actually pretty comfortable being in the room here. I feel like I still have the essence of Katherine here,” De Schepper said Monday.
Catherine Ellis died of pancreatic cancer on February 18 after not receiving the home care she was promised over five weeks ago.
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A few days after she died, workers finally arrived.
De Shepper wasn’t the only one to be heartbroken. Others have shared their experiences with him since going public, he told Global News.
“After hearing so many stories like that, I was standing here in the living room and started crying. “
De Schepper now feels compelled to address MLA directly on behalf of MLA.
Manitoba’s minister for seniors and long-term care, Scott Johnston, was not available for an interview Monday.
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They said the state’s Senior Citizens Strategy, released Wednesday, will allocate an additional $14 million to expand self- and family-managed care programs and an additional $1.3 million for palliative care services. said.
There have been no moves to improve conditions and wages for home care workers since de Shepper first condemned his wife’s treatment, the union representing them told Global News on Monday.
Their collective bargaining agreement was ratified on Sept. 23, but changes to overtime and shift premiums won’t go into effect until March 31, said CUPE 204 president Debbie Boissonneault.
“My understanding is that they probably won’t see any accruals until the end of April,” she said.
“We are still talking about giving them sick time….they don’t have proper pensions.
Boissonneault said workers continue to leave the sector for other jobs, such as those at Amazon, due to low benefits and salaries in addition to high fuel costs.
“They leave the health system entirely and go somewhere where they feel they can get a better paycheck and don’t have the stress of going to someone’s house. Clients who say no one has been here for several days.
Boissonneault isn’t optimistic. Manitoba’s Senior Citizens Strategy will make a much needed change, especially as the population ages and many choose home care.
Last week, the Winnipeg Community Health Authority (WRHA) sent de Schepper a letter of condolences. It was signed with a printed signature, not addressed to him, he said.
Earlier in the week, de Schepper filed a misconduct complaint against WRHA with Manitoba’s ombudsman and is scheduled to meet on Tuesday, he said.
De Schepper, meanwhile, said he doesn’t know when he will be able to attend Congress, but he hopes to see dramatic improvements in home health care.
“If Catherine were here now, she would tell me to carry on,” said De Shepper.
“She will tell me, you are doing the right thing”
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