It took weeks to fix a broken elevator at a local seniors’ home. Why?
At least two municipal councils were involved, a local MLA was briefed, staff in the seniors' homes where elevators had been broken for weeks were obviously in the know, and the seniors affected by this massive inconvenience – along with their families – were clearly painfully aware. That's a lot of people who knew the ups and downs of this situation … for weeks.
It's like one of those 'government jokes' of how many transportation workers it takes to dig a hole.
And while this elevator issue might have been recently fixed, others may still be ongoing.
In Lac La Biche County, elected councillor Colette Borgun who sits on a regional seniors' housing committee, said the elevator issue – which she "can't wrap (her) head around" – is growing.
"Our elevators continue to plague us at many of our sites. It's pretty sad that we have to keep lobbying the government for money to repair elevators for lodges. That should be just fixed automatically."
Yes it should be. But it's hasn't been.
Family members of residents at area lodges have contacted our newspaper offices to say they too have requested better service. In some cases, said the son of one resident, they begged senior administrators at the lodge to have the elevator fixed as their parent was basically trapped on an upper floor.
Trapped? In a building they pay to live in? It's heart-breaking to think that residents in these homes can't visit or move freely. Many already have mobility issues, so taking away their only option in an already limited situation is sad at best, cruel at worst.
It has to be pointed out that many of the staff at the local lodges affected by these maintenance issues are working double-time to help the residents. Many families said staff are also negatively affected, facing burnout as they try to accommodate residents. For all their efforts, it's a shame that none of the staff are elevator mechanics.
Lodge administrators say they have budget restrictions. They have also told residents and their families that stair lifts or other options could be explored – but it would likely need funding from the residents, the province or the surrounding tax base.
Really? These places are businesses. The seniors are their clients. The customers of a seniors' home should be cared for at least as well as a customer using a touchless car wash who doesn't expect to be trapped inside the soap cycle for three weeks.
It took too long.
