A senior resident in Winnipeg raised concerns about not receiving adequate home care assistance on two separate occasions, shortly after assurances from the provincial government about improvements in the system. Gerald Cadmen, aged 73 and paralyzed from the waist down, expressed disappointment over the failed promises made by the authorities.
During a press briefing on September 29, Manitoba’s Health Minister Uzoma Asagwara publicly acknowledged the shortcomings in the implementation of a new centralized scheduling system for home care workers in Winnipeg, leading to service cancellations and delays. As part of rectifying the situation, the minister announced that workers would be allocated to specific geographic zones starting October 1, reverting to the previous arrangement before the new system was introduced earlier in the year.
Cadmen, residing in an assisted living facility, relies on multiple daily home care visits, including assistance from two workers to help him into bed at night. However, he encountered issues twice recently, with only one worker showing up on October 1 and workers arriving 30 minutes early on October 7 without prior notice, causing inconvenience.
Feeling frustrated and let down by the system, Cadmen highlighted the lack of communication about schedule changes, posing potential risks if he were not at home during unexpected visits. He expressed skepticism about the government’s pledges for improvement, citing his experiences of uncertainty and stress due to unreliable home care services.
Despite the province’s claims of hiring additional staff and adjusting schedules to enhance service delivery, Cadmen expressed doubts about the effectiveness of the scheduling clerks who he believes lack understanding of individual client needs. Asagwara urged individuals facing home care challenges to contact their office directly, emphasizing ongoing monitoring to ensure reliable services for Manitobans.
The Winnipeg Regional Health Authority disclosed plans to optimize scheduling clerk shifts to align with peak demand periods, aiming to minimize last-minute changes and better match staff availability with client requirements. Clients and their families were encouraged to communicate any concerns regarding home care services to their case coordinators for prompt assistance.