Seniors Forced Out of Care Facilities Amid Wildfires in BC and NW Territories

Strategic Insights -

A devastating series of wildfires in the Northwest Territories has prompted the transfer of nearly 900 seniors from care facilities in the British Columbia region. Chief Executive Officer of Interior Health, Susan Brown, emphasized the significant anxiety these events have caused among patients, families, and staff. Many of these evacuees have been relocated to safer areas within their region, with some being moved to Vancouver, over 400 kilometers away.

Key Takeaways:

  • Nearly 900 seniors have been transferred from care facilities in British Columbia's wildfire-ravaged region, with most being relocated to safer areas within their region or to Vancouver.
  • Susan Brown, Interior Health's CEO, highlighted the significant anxiety caused by these events, particularly for seniors who may have experienced past wildfires, such as the 2003 blaze that forced 33,000 people to flee.
  • A separate group of patients with previously acquired brain injury has also been moved.
  • The majority of seniors were transferred by bus or other vehicles that can more comfortably accommodate older adults, but 40 people were still in the process of being moved this week.
  • Families accustomed to visiting elderly relatives in facilities close to home are being contacted through a phone line set up by Health Ministry in an effort to locate loved ones.
  • Transferring patients out of long-term care facilities is a time-consuming process, particularly for residents with cognitive disabilities who must be accompanied by staff familiar with their conditions.
  • Private companies operate eight of the nine facilities that have been evacuated, with Interior Health running one of them.

Statistics:

  • 27,000 people have been forced to flee their homes in BC due to the wildfires.
  • 16 care home residents from the Northwest Territories were transferred to BC by the Canadian Armed Forces.
  • 19 hospital patients were also transferred to BC by the Canadian Armed Forces.
  • 54 continuing care residents have arrived in Alberta from the Northwest Territories.
  • About 30 obstetric patients from N.W.T. are being supported in Alberta.
  • 39 people needing dialysis have been transferred to various sites in Alberta.

Sources:

  • CAMILLE BAINS; THE CANADIAN PRESS
  • Susan Brown, Chief Executive Officer of Interior Health
  • Health Minister Adrian Dix
  • Charlotte Taillon, Spokeswoman for the Ministry of Health in Alberta
  • Jean Slick, Professor in disaster and emergency management at Royal Roads University in Victoria